Carton with dispenser

Abstract

A carton for holding at least one article comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels including a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, a first top panel, and a second top panel; a plurality of end flaps including at least one hinged end flap foldably connected to the first top panel; and a reconfigurable dispenser comprising the first top panel, the second top panel, and the at least one hinged end flap, the reconfigurable dispenser being reconfigurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, the at least one hinged end flap being disposed within the interior of the carton when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the first configuration, and the at least one hinged end flap being configured to be at least partially withdrawn from the interior of the carton when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 444,675, filed February 10, 2023.

[0002] [Incorporated by reference] The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 444,675, filed February 10, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if set forth in its entirety herein.

[0003] [Background of disclosure] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to cartons for holding and dispensing items. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] According to one aspect, the present disclosure generally relates to a carton for holding at least one article, the carton comprising a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels including a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, a first top panel, and a second top panel; a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps including at least one hinged end flap foldably connected to the first top panel; and a reconfigurable dispenser comprising a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to the first top panel, the second top panel, and at least one hinged end flap. and a reconfigurable dispenser including two hinged end flaps, the reconfigurable dispenser being reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the reconfigurable dispenser at least partially overlaps an interior of the carton to provide a closed end of the carton and a second configuration in which the reconfigurable dispenser is lifted away from the interior of the carton, the at least one hinged end flap being disposed within the interior of the carton when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the first configuration and the at least one hinged end flap being configured to be at least partially withdrawn from the interior of the carton when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

[0005] According to another aspect, the disclosure generally relates to a blank for forming a carton for holding at least one article, the blank comprising a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of a carton formed from the blank, the plurality of panels including a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, a first top panel, and a second top panel; a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps including at least one hinged end flap foldably connected to the first top panel; and features for forming a reconfigurable dispenser, the first top panel, the second top panel, and the at least one hinged end flap foldably connected to the first top panel when the carton is formed from the blank. and features for forming a reconfigurable dispenser, including hinged end flaps, the reconfigurable dispenser being reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the reconfigurable dispenser at least partially overlaps an interior of the carton formed from the blank to provide a closed end of the carton formed from the blank, and a second configuration in which the reconfigurable dispenser is lifted away from the interior of the carton formed from the blank, the at least one hinged end flap being disposed within the interior of the carton formed from the blank when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the first configuration, and the at least one hinged end flap being configured to be at least partially withdrawn from the interior of the carton formed from the blank when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

[0006] According to another aspect, the disclosure generally relates to a method of forming a carton for holding at least one article, the method including: obtaining a blank having a plurality of panels including a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, a first top panel, and a second top panel; and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps including at least one hinged end flap foldably connected to the first top panel; arranging the plurality of panels at least partially extending around an interior of the carton; and arranging the first top panel, the second top panel, and the at least one hinged end flap together. forming a reconfigurable dispenser with hinged end flaps, the reconfigurable dispenser being reconfigurable between a first configuration at least partially overlapping an interior of the carton to provide a closed end of the carton and a second configuration in which the reconfigurable dispenser is lifted away from the interior of the carton, the at least one hinged end flap being disposed within the interior of the carton when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the first configuration and the at least one hinged end flap being configured to be at least partially withdrawn from the interior of the carton when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

[0007] Those skilled in the art will appreciate these and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures.

[0008] According to common practice, the various features of the drawings described below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the exterior surface of a blank used to form a carton according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 in a bottom end open configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view illustrating a user opening a dispenser of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view illustrating a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 for dispensing articles according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the exterior surface of a blank used to form a carton according to an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numerals throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A carton according to the present disclosure can accommodate articles of many different shapes. For purposes of illustration, and not for purposes of limiting the scope of the present disclosure, the following detailed description describes articles such as food products. Such food products may be provided in individual or granular portions, such as snacks such as confectionery, gum, mints, lozenges, chocolate, granola, cereal, nuts, trail mix, raisins, dried fruit, and the like. It will be understood that different types of articles, such as different types of food products, can be held within a carton according to the present disclosure without departing from the present disclosure. It will further be understood that articles other than food products can be held within a carton according to the present disclosure.

[0012] As used herein, the terms "lower," "bottom," "upper," and "top" refer to orientations determined with respect to a fully erected and upright carton. As described herein, a carton can be formed from a blank by overlapping multiple panels, sections, and / or end flaps. Such panels, sections, and / or end flaps may be designated herein by terms relative to one another, e.g., "first," "second," "third," etc., in consecutive or non-consecutive reference without departing from this disclosure.

[0013] 1 is a plan view of an exterior surface 101 of a blank, generally designated 103, used to form a container or carton 105 (FIG. 3) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As described further herein, the carton 105 can include dispenser features forming a reconfigurable dispenser 109 that facilitates metered or selective release of one or more articles A from an interior 107 of the carton 105. Also, as described further herein, the carton 105 can include access features for reconfiguring an end of the carton 105 between a closed configuration and an at least partially open configuration. In some embodiments, the access features may provide selective access to an end of the carton 105 associated with the dispenser 109.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the blank 103 can have a longitudinal axis L1 and a transverse axis L2 and a plurality of panels for extending at least partially around the interior 107 of the carton 105 formed from the blank 103.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 103 and the multiple panels of the carton 105 formed therefrom may include a back panel 121, an outer or first top panel 123 foldably connected to the back panel 121 at a horizontal fold line 125, an intermediate or reinforcing or second top panel 127 (broadly referred to as the “first top panel” or “third top panel”) foldably connected to the first top panel 123 at a horizontal fold line 129, an inner or third top panel 131 (broadly referred to as the “second top panel”) foldably connected to the second top panel 127 at a horizontal fold line 133, and a front panel 135 foldably connected to the third top panel 131 at a horizontal fold line 137.

[0016] The blank 103 may also include a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to each of the plurality of panels of the blank 103 and the carton 105 formed therefrom to form at least one closed end of the carton 105.

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of end flaps includes a first bottom end flap 139 foldably connected to the back panel 121 at a horizontal fold line 141; a second bottom end flap 143 foldably connected to the front panel 135 at a horizontal fold line 145; a first back end flap 147 (broadly, "at least one side panel") foldably connected to the back panel 121 at a vertical fold line 149; a first hinged end flap 151 foldably connected to the first top panel 123 at a vertical fold line 153; a first top end flap 155 foldably connected to the third top panel 131 at a vertical fold line 157; and a first hinged end flap 151 foldably connected to the front panel 135 at a curved fold line 161. a first front end flap 159 (broadly, "at least one side panel") foldably connected to the back panel 121 at a vertical fold line 165; a second back end flap 163 (broadly, "at least one side panel") foldably connected to the back panel 121 at a vertical fold line 165; a second hinged end flap 167 foldably connected to the first top panel 123 at a vertical fold line 169; a second top end flap 171 foldably connected to the third top panel 131 at a vertical fold line 173; and a second front end flap 175 (broadly, "at least one side panel") foldably connected to the front panel 135 at a curved fold line 177.

[0018] As shown, side end flaps 159 can include side portions 179 foldably connected to front panel 135 at curved fold lines 161 and a bottom portion 181 foldably connected to side portions 179 at horizontal fold lines 183. Similarly, side end flaps 175 can include side portions 185 foldably connected to front panel 135 at curved fold lines 177 and a bottom portion 187 foldably connected to side portions 185 at horizontal fold lines 189.

[0019] As described further herein, the top end flaps 155, 171 can at least partially cooperate with the hinged end flaps 151, 167 to form a reconfigurable dispenser 109 that may provide an open or closed configuration of the top end 111 of the carton 105. In this regard, in some embodiments, the reconfigurable dispenser 109 can have features of a reclosable lid of the carton 105 provided with the dispenser features and / or can be considered a reconfigurable lid. Additionally, the bottom end flaps 139, 143 and the bottoms 181, 187 of the respective side end flaps 159, 175 can at least partially overlap to form the closed end 113 of the carton 105.

[0020] Side end flap 147 and side 179 of end flap 159 are for at least partially overlapping to form first side 115 of carton 105, and side end flap 163 and side 185 of end flap 175 are for at least partially overlapping to form second side 117 of carton 105. It will be understood that in some embodiments, sides 179, 185 of each end flap 159, 175 can be considered panels or panel portions for forming respective sides 115, 117 of carton 105.

[0021] 1 , the blank 103 and the multiple panels of the carton 105 formed therefrom have a generally rounded rectangular configuration and may include a dispenser panel 191 at least partially separably connected to the third top panel 131 at a cut 193 interrupted by a fold line 195, where the dispenser panel 191 is at least partially foldably connected to the second top panel 127 and / or the third top panel 131. As described further herein, the dispenser panel 191 may be at least partially separated from the third top panel 131 to expose a dispenser opening 110 defined at least in part by the top panel 131 and in communication with the interior 107 of the carton 105 so that one or more articles A may be dispensed from the carton 105.

[0022] To facilitate reconfiguration of the dispenser 109 as described herein, the blank 103 and the carton 105 formed therefrom may include a stop tab 197 foldably connected to the top end flap 155 at a diagonal fold line 199 and separated from the side 179 of the side end flap 159 at a cut 201 having one or more of a straight portion, a diagonal portion, and an angled portion. Similarly, the stop tab 203 may be foldably connected to the top end flap 171 at a diagonal fold line 205 and separated from the side 185 of the side end flap 175 at a cut 207 having one or more of a straight portion, a diagonal portion, and an angled portion. As described further herein, the stop tabs 197, 203 may be positioned to at least partially engage / be engaged with respective stop protrusions 209, 211 protruding from the respective hinge end flaps 151, 167.

[0023] As described herein, one or more of the top panels 123, 127, 131, the dispenser panel 191, and the hinged end flaps 151, 167 may be dispenser features of the blank 103 for forming the dispenser 109 of the carton 105, although it will be understood that the blank 103 and the dispenser features of the carton 105 formed therefrom may include less than or more than all of these components without departing from this disclosure.

[0024] 2 and 3, the formation of carton 105 from blank 103 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In one exemplary embodiment, blank 103 can be inverted, for example, so that outer surface 101 is placed on a support surface and the inner surface opposite outer surface 101 is placed facing upward.

[0025] First top panel 123 can be folded at fold line 129 to make at least partial face-to-face contact with second top panel 127. In some embodiments, back panel 121 can be shaped to make at least partial face-to-face contact with portions of third top panel 131 and front panel 135, respectively.

[0026] The third top panel 131 can be folded at fold line 133 to be in at least partial face-to-face contact with the second top panel 127 (e.g., so that the outer surface of the third top panel 131 is positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the outer surface of the second top panel 127).

[0027] In such a configuration, top end flap 155 can be disposed in at least partial face-to-face contact with hinged end flap 151 with their associated fold lines 157, 153 generally aligned, and top end flap 171 can be disposed in at least partial face-to-face contact with hinged end flap 167 with their associated fold lines 173, 169 generally aligned. Thus, end flaps 155, 151 can be folded at aligned fold lines 157, 153 into a generally perpendicular relationship extending away from the top panels 123, 127, 131 to be disposed within the interior 107 of the carton 105, and end flaps 171, 167 can be folded at aligned fold lines 173, 169 into a generally perpendicular relationship extending away from the top panels 123, 127, 131 to be disposed within the interior 107 of the carton 105.

[0028] The side end flaps 147, 159 can be folded at respective fold lines 149, 161 to at least partially meet each other to form a first side 115 of the carton 105, and the side end flaps 163, 175 can be folded at respective fold lines 165, 177 to at least partially meet each other to form a second side 117 of the carton 105.

[0029] During the aforementioned movement, the side end flaps 159, 175 contact the respective stop tabs 197, 203 and can at least partially fold the stop tabs 197, 203 against the respective top end flaps 155, 171 at the respective fold lines 199, 205 so that the stop tabs 197, 203 are positioned generally overlapping the front panel 135 in the interior 107 of the carton 105.

[0030] 2 , one or more articles A can be inserted into the interior 107 of the carton 105 before the bottom end flaps 139, 143 and the bottoms 181, 187 of the end flaps 159, 175 are overlapped to form the closed end 113 of the carton 105. The bottoms 181, 187 of the respective end flaps 159, 175 can then be folded at respective fold lines 183, 189 into a generally perpendicular relationship with the panels 121, 135 and sides 115, 117 of the carton 105, and the bottom end flaps 139, 143 can be folded at respective fold lines 141, 145 into at least partial overlapping and generally perpendicular relationship with the panels 121, 135 and sides 115, 117 of the carton 105 to form the closed end 113 of the carton 105.

[0031] It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the above-described arrangement of the panels and end flaps may be maintained, at least in part, by one or more applications of adhesive, such as glue. In the illustrated embodiment, adhesive may be applied to the exterior surfaces of the top panel 127 and / or the dispenser panel 191 such that the top panel 127 is adhered to the dispenser panel 191.

[0032] An initial, first, or closed configuration of the carton 105 is shown in Figure 3, in which the dispenser 109 is positioned to generally overlap and limit access to the interior 107 of the carton 105, with the dispenser 109 configured as a lid that provides a closed configuration for the top end 111 of the carton 105. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more portions of the top panels 123, 127, for example, portions adjacent the fold line 129, may project outwardly beyond the front panel 135 to provide a user-engagement tab or feature 213.

[0033] 4 and 5, to reconfigure the dispenser 109 from a first configuration to an at least partially open configuration, for example, a user can press an edge of the top panels 123, 127 upwardly, for example, near the user engagement feature 213 or otherwise, to lift the top panels 123, 127 away from the front panel 135 and sides 115, 117 of the carton 105 so that the dispenser 109 is lifted away from at least the front panel 135 of the carton 105 to provide access to the interior 107 of the carton 105, and the top panels 123, 127 are foldably connected to the back panel 121 at the fold line 125.

[0034] As the top panels 123, 127 are lifted upward, the top panel 127, which is adhered to the dispenser panel 191, can pull the dispenser panel 191 to at least partially separate from the top panel 131 at the cut 193 and foldably lift up along with the top panels 123, 127 at the fold line 195. In this regard, lifting the top panels 123, 127 as described above can expose the dispenser opening 110 in the top panel 131.

[0035] Furthermore, such movement of the top panels 123, 127 can slidably pull the hinged end flaps 151, 167 to which they are respectively foldably connected out of the interior 107 of the carton 105 along a path of movement that is at least partially guided by their curved free edges as they slide between their respective portions of the top panel 131 and their respective sides 115, 117 of the carton 105. When the free edge of the top panel 123, 127 moves a predetermined or preselected distance from the upper edge of the front panel 135, the stop protrusion 209, 211 of the respective hinge end flaps 151, 167 can be positioned to at least partially receive and / or engage one or more surfaces or edges of the stop tabs 197, 203 within the interior 107 of the carton 105 when the dispenser 109 is in the second configuration so as to prevent further movement of the top panel 123, 127 away from the front panel 135 and sides 115, 117 of the carton 105.

[0036] 5, in which the top end 111 of the carton 105 has an at least partially open configuration. In such a configuration, the top panels 123, 127 and attached dispenser panel 191 are positioned to extend away from the top panel 131 and dispenser opening 110, and the hinged end flaps 151, 167 extend substantially vertically upward to provide an at least partially defined dispensing area 119 therebetween that can collect a desired amount of article A as it exits the carton 105 through the dispenser opening 110 (e.g., following tilting and / or rocking thereof by a user) and from which individual or multiple articles A can be grasped by a user or stored for later use, and / or from which multiple articles A can be smoothly and conveniently transferred, for example, without spillage, to the palm of a user's hand or to a user's fingers.

[0037] In this regard, the hinged end flaps 151, 167 can be positioned within the interior 107 of the carton 105 when the dispenser 109 is in the first configuration and can be at least partially retracted from the interior 107 of the carton 105 when the dispenser 109 is in the second configuration. Additionally, the dispenser panel 191 can at least partially cover the dispenser opening 110 when the dispenser 109 is in the first configuration and can at least partially expose the dispenser opening 110 when the dispenser 109 is in the second configuration.

[0038] When it is desired to reconfigure the dispenser 109 from the second configuration to the first configuration, for example, when access to item A from the interior 107 of the carton 105 is no longer needed or desired, the top panels 123, 127 can be pushed downwardly by a user, and the top panels 123, 127 and the dispenser panel 191 carried therewith pivot downwardly relative to the back panel 121 at the fold line 125 to at least partially overlap the dispenser opening 110 and the interior 107 of the carton 105, providing a closed configuration of the top end 111 of the carton 105.

[0039] In this regard, the carton 105 is provided with dispenser features to form a dispenser 109 that is reconfigurable from a first configuration in which the dispenser 109 at least partially covers the interior 107 of the carton 105 and provides a closed configuration at the top end 111 of the carton 105, to a second configuration in which the dispenser 109 is lifted at least partially away from the interior 107 of the carton 105 to provide an open configuration at the top end 111 of the carton 105 and provides a convenient dispenser area or spout through which one or more articles A can be smoothly and conveniently dispensed from the carton 105.

[0040] Such configurations are reclosable in that the dispenser 109 can be reconfigured from the second configuration to the first configuration such that the interior 107 of the carton 105 can be selectively restored by the dispenser 109, for example, to maintain one or more characteristics (e.g., freshness, taste, aroma, texture, moisture content, etc.) of the item A remaining in the interior 107 of the carton 105, to protect such item A from environmental elements such as debris, rain, pests, etc., and / or to prevent spillage of such item A during storage or transport, to name a few.

[0041] Additionally, the curved profile of the front of the carton 105 provides a convenient, ergonomic and attractive position in which the carton 105 can be grasped due to the curvature provided by the curved fold lines 161, 177.

[0042] 6, there is shown an exterior surface 101B of a blank 103A for forming a carton according to an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Blank 103A and the carton formed therefrom can have one or more features that are the same or similar to those described above with respect to blank 103 and carton 105 formed therefrom, and like or similar features are designated with like or similar reference numerals.

[0043] As shown, blank 103A can have a configuration generally similar to that described above with respect to blank 103, except that the bottoms 181, 187 of the respective end flaps 159, 175 are instead foldably connected to the bottom end flap 143 at the respective longitudinal fold lines 183A, 189A.

[0044] In this regard, a carton may be formed from blank 103A in a manner generally similar to that described above with respect to carton 105 to provide similar functionality and advantages.

[0045] It will be understood that one or more portions of the blanks and cartons formed therefrom described herein can be of different shapes, configurations, arrangements, etc. without departing from this disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, a generally continuous free edge of the blanks and cartons formed therefrom can be provided along the free edge of the top panels 123, 127 such that notches and recesses are absent therealong.

[0046] Blanks according to the present disclosure can be formed, for example, from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the inside and / or outside of the blank can be coated with a clay coating. Product, advertising, price codes, and other information or images can then be printed on top of the clay coating. The blank can then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blank can also be coated, for example, with a moisture barrier layer on one or both sides of the blank. In accordance with the above-described embodiments, the blank can be constructed of paperboard with a thickness that makes it heavier and more rigid than regular paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, rigid paper, or any other material having suitable properties to enable the carton to function at least generally as described above. The blank can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.

[0047] In accordance with the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, the fold line is not necessarily straight, but can be any substantially straight form of weakness that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, without intending to narrow the scope of the present disclosure, folds include score lines, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife or the like, that create a crushed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness, cuts that extend partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and / or a series of cuts that extend partially into and / or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, and various combinations of these features.

[0048] As an example, the tear line can include a slit extending partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and / or a series of spaced slits extending partially into the material along the desired line of weakness and / or completely through the material, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type of tear line is in the form of a series of spaced slits extending completely through the material, with adjacent slits spaced slightly apart so that nicks (e.g., small, somewhat bridge-like pieces of material) are defined between adjacent slits to typically temporarily connect the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks are typically a relatively small percentage of the tear line; alternatively, the nicks can be omitted from or torn at the tear line so that the tear line is a continuous break. That is, it is within the scope of this disclosure for each of the spaced slits to be replaced with a continuous slit, a continuous score, or the like. For example, the cuts may be continuous slits or may be wider than the slits without departing from this disclosure, and the tear line may be a series of cut scores that run completely or partially through the material, separated by cuts.

[0049] The term "glue" is intended to encompass any type of adhesive commonly used to secure carton panels in place.

[0050] The foregoing description of the present disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, alterations, and the like can be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. In addition, while the present disclosure illustrates and describes only selected embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments, and changes or modifications can be made in accordance with the above teachings and / or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein. Furthermore, some features and characteristics of each embodiment can be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. 1. A carton for holding at least one article, said carton comprising: a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels including a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, a first top panel, and a second top panel; a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the end flaps including at least one hinged end flap foldably connected to the first top panel; a reconfigurable dispenser comprising the first top panel, the second top panel, and the at least one hinged end flap; the reconfigurable dispenser is reconfigurable between a first configuration at least partially overlapping the interior of the carton to provide a closed end of the carton and a second configuration in which the reconfigurable dispenser is lifted away from the interior of the carton; the at least one hinged end flap is disposed within the interior of the carton when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the first configuration, and the at least one hinged end flap is configured to be at least partially withdrawn from the interior of the carton when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

2. 10. The carton of claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable dispenser is reconfigurable to the second configuration such that a dispensing area is at least partially defined between the first top panel, the second top panel, and the at least one hinged end flap.

3. 3. The carton of claim 2, wherein the at least one hinged end flap is slidably disposed between the at least one side panel and the second top panel.

4. 4. The carton of claim 3, wherein the first top panel is foldably connected to the back panel.

5. 5. The carton of claim 4, wherein the second top panel is foldably connected to the front panel.

6. 6. The carton of claim 5, wherein the plurality of panels further includes a third top panel foldably connected to each of the first top panel and the second top panel.

7. 7. The carton of claim 6, wherein the third top panel is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the first top panel.

8. 8. The carton of claim 7, wherein a dispenser opening is at least partially defined in the second top panel.

9. 9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a dispenser panel at least partially foldably connected to the second top panel and at least partially detachably connected to the second top panel, the dispenser panel positioned to at least partially cover the dispenser opening in the first configuration and positioned to at least partially expose the dispenser opening when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

10. 9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the first top panel and the third top panel at least partially define user-engagement features, the user-engagement features positioned to protrude beyond the front panel when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the first configuration.

11. the at least one side panel is a first side panel; the plurality of panels further includes a second side panel; the at least one hinged end flap is a first hinged end flap foldably connected to the first top panel; 9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the plurality of end flaps further includes a second hinged end flap foldably connected to the second top panel and slidably disposed between the second top panel and the second side panel.

12. a stop projection extending from the at least one hinge end flap; a stop tab foldably connected to the second top panel and positioned within the interior of the carton; The carton of claim 8, wherein the stop projection is positioned to contact the stop tab when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

13. 1. A blank for forming a carton for holding at least one article, said blank comprising: a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton formed from the blank, the plurality of panels including a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, a first top panel, and a second top panel; a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the end flaps including at least one hinged end flap foldably connected to the first top panel; features for forming a reconfigurable dispenser when the carton is formed from the blank, the features for forming the reconfigurable dispenser including the first top panel, the second top panel, and the at least one hinged end flap; the reconfigurable dispenser is reconfigurable between a first configuration at least partially overlapping the interior of the carton formed from the blank to provide a closed end of the carton formed from the blank, and a second configuration in which the reconfigurable dispenser is lifted away from the interior of the carton formed from the blank; a blank, wherein the at least one hinged end flap is positioned within the interior of the carton formed from the blank when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the first configuration, and the at least one hinged end flap is configured to be at least partially withdrawn from the interior of the carton formed from the blank when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

14. 14. The blank of claim 13, wherein the first top panel is foldably connected to the back panel.

15. 15. The blank of claim 14, wherein the second top panel is foldably connected to the front panel.

16. 16. The blank of claim 15, wherein the plurality of panels further includes a third top panel foldably connected to each of the first top panel and the second top panel.

17. 17. The blank of claim 16, wherein the third top panel is for being placed in at least partial face-to-face contact with the first top panel when the carton is formed from the blank.

18. 18. The blank of claim 17, wherein a dispenser opening is at least partially defined in the second top panel.

19. 20. The blank of claim 18, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a dispenser panel at least partially foldably connected to the second top panel and at least partially detachably connected to the second top panel.

20. the at least one side panel is a first side panel; the plurality of panels further includes a second side panel; the at least one hinged end flap is a first hinged end flap foldably connected to the first top panel; 20. The blank of claim 18, wherein the plurality of end flaps further includes a second hinged end flap foldably connected to the second top panel.

21. a stop projection extending from the at least one hinge end flap; a stop tab foldably connected to the second top panel for placement within the interior of the carton formed from the blank; 20. The blank of claim 18, wherein the stop projection is positioned to contact the stop tab when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration when the carton is formed from the blank.

22. 1. A method of forming a carton for holding at least one item, the method comprising: obtaining a blank having a plurality of panels including a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, a first top panel, and a second top panel, and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, including at least one hinged end flap foldably connected to the first top panel; disposing the plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton; forming a reconfigurable dispenser comprising the first top panel, the second top panel, and the at least one hinged end flap, the reconfigurable dispenser being reconfigurable between a first configuration at least partially overlapping the interior of the carton to provide a closed end of the carton and a second configuration in which the reconfigurable dispenser is lifted away from the interior of the carton; forming a reconfigurable dispenser, wherein the at least one hinged end flap is disposed within the interior of the carton when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the first configuration, and the at least one hinged end flap is configured to be at least partially withdrawn from the interior of the carton when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

23. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the reconfigurable dispenser is reconfigurable to the second configuration such that a dispensing area is at least partially defined between the first top panel, the second top panel, and the at least one hinged end flap.

24. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising slidably disposing the at least one hinged end flap between the at least one side panel and the second top panel.

25. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the first top panel is foldably connected to the back panel.

26. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the second top panel is foldably connected to the front panel.

27. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the plurality of panels further includes a third top panel foldably connected to each of the first top panel and the second top panel.

28. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising placing the third top panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with the first top panel.

29. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein a dispenser opening is at least partially defined in the second top panel.

30. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a dispenser panel at least partially foldably connected to the second top panel and at least partially detachably connected to the second top panel, the dispenser panel positioned to at least partially cover the dispenser opening in the first configuration and positioned to at least partially expose the dispenser opening when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

31. 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising: positioning the first top panel and the third top panel to at least partially define user-engagement features, the user-engagement features positioned to protrude beyond the front panel when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the first configuration.

32. the at least one side panel is a first side panel; the plurality of panels further includes a second side panel; the at least one hinged end flap is a first hinged end flap foldably connected to the first top panel; the plurality of end flaps further including a second hinged end flap foldably connected to the second top panel; 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising slidably disposing the second hinged end flap between the second top panel and the second side panel.

33. a stop projection extending from the at least one hinge end flap; a stop tab foldably connected to the second top panel; 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising positioning the stop protrusion in the interior of the carton such that the stop protrusion is positioned to contact the stop tab when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

34. 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising reconfiguring the reconfigurable dispenser between the first configuration and the second configuration.

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