Retail display carton

Abstract

A carton displays packages disposed therein. The cartons are configured to be stacked upon one another with package indicia facing a display opening. The carton includes a top opening through which the packages are loaded in a vertical orientation. The top opening is closable by two opposing flaps that adjoin along a top center line, and secured with tabs disposed on two other flaps. The carton also includes a removable portion defined by a line of weakness spanning across the front panel, optionally opposing side panels, and the two opposing flaps. The removable portion is removable by tearing the removable portion along the line of weakness by peeling or pulling a cut-out.

Description

RETAIL DISPLAY CARTONFIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to cartons for shipping products. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to shipping cartons that double as stackable displays in retail environments.BACKGROUND

[0002] Some retail environments display certain packages (e.g., food packages) on a store shelf within the carton or container that the packages ship. That is, in some environments it is convenient to receive a container of multiple packages, place the container on a shelf, and then configure the container for display.

[0003] Some shipping cartons are configured to be loaded in a vertical direction. That is, the shipping container has an opening on or within the top surface through which the packages or packaged products can be loaded from above. In this manner, some shipping cartons are configured to display food packages, such as cookie packages, in a vertical orientation. These cartons can pose problems, if the packages are designed to be read in a horizontal direction. That is, shipping cartons that display packages vertically are not ideal for packages with indicia (e.g., text or graphics that identify or advertise product) designed to be read horizontally.SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure describes examples of a carton for storing, stacking, and displaying packages. In some examples, the packages have front display surfaces that include indicia (e.g., text or graphics that identify and describe the packaged product) configured to be read in a same orientation by which the packages are loaded into the carton. The carton includes a plurality of sides and panels forming the surfaces of the carton. The carton includes a bottom, a first and second opposing side panels, a front panel extending between the two opposing side panels and a rear panel extending between the two opposing side panels. A closable top adjacent the two opposing side panels, the front panel and the rear panel. The closable top comprising a first flap foldably connected to the first side panel, a second flap foldably connected to the second side panel, a rearward flap foldably connected to the rear panel and a forward flap foldably connected to the front panel. The first, second, rearward and forward flaps being foldable from an open position in which packages can be inserted into an interior of the carton via a top openingand a closed positioned in which the first, second, rearward and forward flaps are folded to close the top opening. The carton further includes a removable portion spanning across a portion of the front panel adjacent the forward flap and an entirety of the forward flap, the removable portion being removable to form a display opening. The carton is configured to display packages through the display opening when the removable portion has been removed, and wherein a lip is defined by a remainder of the front panel adjacent the bottom. For example, the removable portion further spans across a portion of the two opposing side panels. Additionally, the forward flap may be completely removable with the removable portion. A portion of the first side panel and a portion of the second side panel are removed with the removable portion. The first flap and the second flap include two cut-outs configured to secure the top opening using the rearward flap and forward flap. The carton is configured to include at least one row of packages disposed therein. The packages may be loaded into the carton through the top opening in a vertical direction. The first and second flap adjoin across a top centerline of the carton. The carton is stackable onto a second carton. In this way, the carton or the second carton can be placed on top of one another without collapsing the bottom carton.

[0005] The present disclosure also describes methods of loading shipping cartons, for example, methods of loading one or more of the shipping cartons described herein. In one example, the method includes arranging the closable top in an open configuration, loading packages, including indicia disposed thereon, from above the carton into the carton through the closable top in an open configuration, the loading including arranging the packages to form two adjacent rows of vertical packages within the carton such that the indicia on the packages face toward the front panel of the carton, folding the at least two of the three flaps over the top opening such that at least one flap adjoins with at least one of another flap, and closing the top opening by folding a remaining flap of the three flaps into openings in the at least two of the three flaps.

[0006] Some described methods relate to the display of products in a shipping carton. For example, the shipping carton may comprise a plurality of rows of packages, the plurality of rows of packages received into the carton through the top opening in a vertical orientation, the method comprising, removing the removable portion from the carton by tearing the removable portion along a line of weakness that spans across at least a portion of the front panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the first, second, and forward flaps, and orienting the carton in a verticaldisplay configuration, wherein the plurality of rows of packages are arranged side by side with one another.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a carton with a removable panel segment arranged in a display orientation in accordance with examples of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 2 shows a carton being loaded with products in accordance with examples described herein.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows a carton being loaded with products in accordance with examples described herein.

[0010] FIG. 4 shows a carton being loaded with products in accordance with examples described herein.

[0011] FIG. 5 shows the carton of FIG. 1 as the carton is being closed.

[0012] FIG. 6 shows the carton of FIG. 1 as the removable panel segment is being removed from the carton.

[0013] FIG. 7 shows the carton of FIG. 1 with the removable panel segment fully removed and establishing a display opening.

[0014] FIG. 8 shows the carton of FIG. 1 with a second carton stacked with the carton.

[0015] FIG. 9 shows a blank that can be configured to form a carton in accordance with examples described herein.

[0016] FIG. 10 shows a carton with a removable panel segment arranged in a display orientation in accordance with examples of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 11 shows a blank that can be configured to form a carton in accordance with examples described herein.

[0018] FIG. 12 shows a carton similar to that of FIG. 1 but with a second removable portion in accordance with examples described herein.

[0019] FIG. 13 shows a carton similar to that of FIG. 1 but with a discontinuous lip in accordance with examples described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present disclosure describes examples of a carton, in particular a shipping carton, that displays packaged products in a vertical orientation. For example, the described cartons can be used to ship multiple packaged products, including food packages (e.g., packages of cookies, crackers, chips, etc.) to a retail establishment, and then converted into display cartons or containers at the retail establishment. Further, the cartons may be stacked on top of one another to provide multiple display cartons or containers at the retail establishment.

[0021] The described cartons allow the packaged products to be loaded into the container in a vertical orientation, for example, through an opening in the top of the carton. The carton can be hand-loaded or loaded by machine. The carton can then be closed and secured for shipping. Upon reaching the retail establishment, a display opening can be formed in the carton by removing a removable panel that extends across three adjacent panels of the package. The display opening reveals the packaged products stored within. Preferably, but not necessarily, this can reveal the packaged products without rotating the carton. In this way, the carton can be loaded with the packaged products disposed in the same direction as the display opening allowing the carton to be packed and displayed without rotating the carton. That can advantageously lead to less movement of the packaged products, which, depending upon the products, can reduce potential for breakage.

[0022] In some examples, the removable panel extends across a portion of the sides, that are adjacent to the top opening, and a front of the carton. The carton can thus be placed on a shelf in a vertical orientation, with the top surface facing upward, so that the display opening faces forward and upward. In this manner, the display opening can display the packaged products in a vertical orientation. That is, the carton is configured so that vertically loaded packaged products can be situated and displayed vertically. This improves packaging costs, while also improving the display of the packages in the shipping carton when on a retail shelf. In some examples, depending on the display format, the carton configuration can optimize packaging costs as well. In other words, this carton configuration allows the packaging process to continue to use the previous top loading packaging equipment so the carton is loaded vertically, while also making the packages removable through the front of the carton. Thus, the carton can rest on a shelf, or another carton, and allow the packaged products to be removed from the front or the top.

[0023] The present disclosure uses words of orientation, direction, and / or position to describe certain components of the cartons and packages described herein. For example, the present disclosure may refer to panels of a carton as a “top” panel, a “side” panel, a “rear” panel, and the like. It should be noted that the described cartons and packages may be readily moved and reoriented such that the orientation and position can change in different situations. As such, components and objects identified with such words of orientation, direction, and / or position may not be literally applicable in all configurations or orientations of the cartons or packages. Moreover, the “top panel” may include more than one panel. For example, the “top panel” may include two opposing flaps that are folded to close an opening. In some examples, the top panel may be considered a top surface, a closed top opening, or simply a top.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows an example of a carton 100 configured to display vertically loaded packages in the same orientation. The carton 100 includes a front panel 112 that extends along the front surface of the carton 100 and side panels 110 that extend along each side surface of the carton 100. The side panels 110 are opposite one another. The carton 100 also includes a rear panel 134, shown in more detail with reference to FIG. 9. The rear panel 134 is opposite the front panel 112. The carton 100 further includes a closable bottom portion including bottom flaps 142, shown in more detail with reference to FIG. 9.

[0025] The side panels 110 each include a side flap 120. The side flaps 120 form a top opening 136 configured to receive the packages when being loaded. The side flaps 120 fold down over the packages to close the top opening 136, adjoining along a top centerline 116. As used herein, the term “adjoin” refers to components that lie next to or in contact with one another; not necessarily forming a physical connection.

[0026] The side flaps 120 also include a front cut-out 122 and a rear cut-out 123, or slits. More specifically, the side flaps 120 include a front cut-out 122 adjacent to the front panel 112 and a rear cut-out 123 adjacent to the rear panel 134, the cut-out 122 and the cut-out 123 being substantially perpendicular to the top centerline 116. In some embodiments the cut-outs 122 are different sizes. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the front cut-out 122 is larger than the rear cutout 123.

[0027] The front panel 112 includes a forward flap 124. The rear panel 134 includes a rearward flap 130. When the side flaps 120, and consequently the cut-outs 122 and 123, are adjoined alongthe top centerline 116, the cut-outs 122 and 123 provide a spot for the forward flap 124 and the rearward flap 130 to secure the top opening 136. In this way the carton can be formed without adhesives and can be formed by hand. The tabs and cut-outs allow for the top opening to be closed and secured without any adhesives or additional connectors such that a user can form the carton, pack the carton with packages, then close and secure the carton. In some embodiments, the top and / or the bottom of the carton can be closed and secured with adhesive and / or the use of additional connectors. In one exemplary embodiment, the bottom of the carton is glued using adhesive to secure the bottom of the carton while the top of the carton is secured using the flaps, cut-outs, and tabs described herein.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the forward flap 124 includes a tab 126. Similarly, the rearward flap 130 includes a tab 132. The tab 126 of the forward flap 124 and the tab 132 of the rearward flap 130 are insertable into the cut-outs 122 and 123 when the side flaps 120 are adjoined. More specifically, the tab 126 is insertable into the front cut-out 122 and the tab 132 is insertable into the rear cut-out 123. In this way, the top opening 136 can be secured closed without the use of adhesive or other joining methods including connectors such as tape, staples, ties, straps, pins, magnets, fasteners (e.g., hook and loop fasteners), or the like.

[0029] The carton 100 includes a removable portion 114 defined by a line of weakness 118 (which can be a score line, a perforation lines, a tear line, etc.) that extends across the front panel 112, the side panels 1 10, and the side flaps 120. The removable portion 114 includes the entirety of the forward flap 124. The line of weakness can comprise a series of breaks, cuts, scores, or similar features that facilitates tearing of the removable portion 114. In this manner, the removable portion 114 can be removed from the carton 100 by tearing the removable portion 114 along the line of weakness 118. The front cut-out 122, with the tab 126 provide an initial tear point which facilitates the initial removal of the removable portion 114. For example, by providing a larger cutout as the front cut-out 122, the front cut-out 122 can be utilized as a gripping portion that facilitates pulling or tearing of the removable portion 114 from that portion of the carton 100.

[0030] Once removed, the removable portion 114 provides a display opening 146 defined by a remaining portion of the front panel 112 and a remaining portion of each of the side panels 1 10 and the side flaps 120. The remaining portion of the front panel 112 may be a lip which is the portion of the front panel 112 adjacent the bottom of the carton 100. The lip can serve to providestructural support to the carton 100, and / or to support packages or other products stored within the carton 100 in a display configuration. In some embodiments, the lip is a continuous portion extending from side wall to side wall. In other embodiments, the lip may be discontinuous between the side walls, for example, the lip may be two separate portions with a space or gap between each portion. In this way, the lip can take various configurations and shapes. The display opening allows for packages to be removed from within while maintaining enough of the carton to be stackable. The display opening also allows for packages to be removed through the front and top of the carton. In this way, when multiple cartons are stacked, packages can be removed from more than just the top carton.

[0031] In some aspects, the carton 100 is loaded, or can be loaded with multiple packages, or packaged products. FIGS. 2 to 4 depict various stages of one technique for loading the carton 100. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows the carton 100 in an open or loading configuration which includes the side flaps 120 substantially in line with the side panels 110, the rearward flap 130 substantially in line with the rear panel 134, and the forward flap 124 substantially in line with the front panel 112. The top opening 136 allows for packages 140 to be loaded into the carton 100 from the top of the carton 100. In this way, packages 140 can be inserted vertically into the carton 100.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows two rows of packages 140 being loaded into the carton 100 through the top opening 136 from above the carton 100. Each package includes indicia on a front surface thereof. The packages 140 are loaded in the carton 100 such that the front surfaces or the indicia are facing the front panel 112 of the carton 100. In this way, the direction or orientation the packages 140 are loaded is the same direction or orientation the packages 140 will be displayed once the removable portion 114 is removed in retail environments.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows the packages 140 loaded into the carton 100 through the top opening 136 in two rows. While the figures illustrate the packages 140 being loaded in two rows throughout, the disclosure contemplates one or more rows of packages 140 disposed within the carton 100. In some examples, depending on the shape, size, and structure of the packages 140 and / or the carton 100, more or less than two rows of packages can be loaded therein. For example, in some configurations, the carton 100 can be loaded with only 1 row of packages 140. In other configurations, three, four, or more rows of packages can be loaded intothe carton 100. In such a configuration, the carton 100 will display three or four rows of packages 140 loaded therein in the display configuration.

[0034] The packages 140 can be loaded into the carton 100 as shown in FIG. 4 until the desired capacity is met (e.g., until the carton 100 is full or nearly full), and then the top opening 136 of the carton can be closed and secured. For example, FIG. 1 shows the side flaps 120 folded over the tab 126 and adjoining along the top centerline 116. The forward flap 124 and the rearward flap 130 can be folded down towards the top centerline 116. Once folded down, as described above, the tab 126 can be inserted into the front cut-out 122 and the tab 132 can be inserted into the rear cut-out 123 to close and secure the top opening 136. This process can be done by a machine or by hand. Because the carton is configured to be closed without the use of adhesives or connectors this process can be done completely by hand. In some examples a portion of the process is done by machine and the remaining portion is completed by hand.

[0035] It should be noted that FIGS. 2 to 4 depict an example of a carton 100 pursuant to embodiments described herein, however, the process depicted in these figures can be applied to other embodiments. Indeed, this process is currently used to load existing cartons, though unlike the presently described technology, such existing cartons are not able to double as display cartons that display the packages 140 in a vertical, stacked configuration while providing the display opening 146 spanning the side panels 110, the side flaps 120, and the front panel 112.

[0036] As noted above, the removable portion 114 removes from the carton 100 to produce a display opening 146 through which the package 140 can be displayed and removed, for example, by consumers at a retail environment. FIG. 6 shows an example of a carton 100 as the removable portion 114 is being removed from the front surface of the carton 100. In FIG. 5, the line of weakness 118 is shown where the removable portion 114 is being removed from the carton 100, thereby facilitating removal of the packages 140. The removable portion 114 is removed by peeling or pulling the removable portion 114 at the front cut-out 122 along the line of weakness 118, thereby separating the removable portion 114 from the carton 100.

[0037] The carton 100 is configured to be closed without the use of adhesives. In this way, the carton 100 may be formed and closed by hand. The bottom flaps 142, discussed below, can be folded in such a way to close the bottom of the carton without the use of adhesive. This allows for the carton 100 to be formed by hand because no adhesive or other connectors are needed. Oncethe bottom flaps 142 are formed together, the top opening 136 can be closed and secured by the side flaps 120, the rearward flap 130, and the forward flap 124. More specifically, the top opening 136 of the carton 100 can be secured by the tabs 126 and 132 being inserted into the cut-outs 122 and 123. Similarly, the carton 100 can be hand-packed. A user can place the packages 140 into the carton 100 by inserting or placing the packages 140 into the carton 100 through the top opening 136 after the bottom of the carton 100 is formed.

[0038] FIG. 7 shows a carton 100 in a display configuration with the removable portion 114 fully removed and establishing the display opening 146. In the display configuration, the carton 100 rests on the bottom of the carton 100 with the front panel 112 facing forward. The display opening 146, including a portion of the front panel 112 and a portion of each of the side panels 110 and the side flaps 120 is generally large enough to allow the packages 140 within the carton 100 to be removed, for example, by consumers in a retail environment. In this embodiment, the display opening 146 has a width that is generally consistent along the portion spanning between the front panel 112 and the side panels 110. In some examples, the packages 140 may need to be arranged or angled in order to comfortably fit out of the display opening 146. In other examples, the packages 140 may be flexible so that they can be slightly squeezed or deformed in a manner that facilitates removal through the display opening 146. The locations of the cut-outs and corresponding tabs, namely the front cut-out and front tab, can adjust the size of the display opening. For example, if the front cut-out is further back towards the back cut-out, the display opening will include a larger opening at the top of the carton. Conversely, if the front cut-out is closer to the front panel, the display opening will be smaller at the top of the carton. This can be adjusted as needed to allow for sufficient strength and rigidity of the carton to be stacked on top of and onto other cartons.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, some examples of the presently described cartons 100 can be stacked on top of one another while in the display configuration. The cartons 100 can be stacked on top of each other in a manner that still allows access to the packages 140 stored within of each of the cartons 100. That is, the cartons can be arranged so that, once the removable portion 114 is removed, packages 140 within a lower carton 100 can be removed through the display opening 146 of a lower carton. In this manner, the carton 100 is configured to have structural strength to support the weight of additional cartons with the removable portion 114 removed. Moreover, the carton 100 is also configured such that the remaining portions of the side panels 110 and the sideflaps 120 provide a surface sufficient to support stacking of other cartons 100 even after the removable portion 114 has been removed.

[0040] FIG. 9 shows a blank 101 that can be configured to form one example of the carton 100. The blank 101 includes the rear panel 134 at one end having the rearward flap 130 and tab 132 extending from the rear panel 134, and extending on the opposite side, one of the bottom flaps 142. Connected to the rear panel 134 is one of the side panels 110. Extending from the side panel 110 is the side flaps 120 including part of the front cut-out 122 and the rear cut-out 123, and extending on the opposite side, one of the bottom flaps 142. The front panel 112 is connected to both side panels 110. Extending from the front panel 112 is the forward flap 124 including the tab 126, and extending on the opposite side, one of the bottom flaps 142. Finally, the other side flap 120 is connected to the front panel 112. Extending from the side panel 110 is the side flaps 120 including part of the front cut-out 122 and the rear cut-out 123, extending on the opposite side is one of the bottom flaps 142, and extending from the side panel 110 is a connecting portion 128. The connecting portion 128 may be utilized to aid in forming the carton by allowing the end side panel 110 to be connected to the rear panel 134. The bottom of the carton comprises the bottom flaps 142 which come together to secure the bottom of the carton 100.

[0041] As shown, the line of weakness 118 spans across a portion of each of the side flaps 120, a portion of each side flaps 120, and the front panel 112. Additionally, the line of weakness completely surrounds the forward flap 124. The line of weakness 1 18 defines the removable portion 114. As described above, the side flaps 120 adjoin to close the top opening 136 and the rearward flap 130 and the forward flap 124 come together to secure the top opening 136 via the tab 126 being inserted into the front cut-out 122 and the 123 being inserted into the rear cut-out 123. As can be seen, the blank, and resulting carton, is configured to be formed, packed, closed, and secured without the use of adhesives or connectors. This allows the carton to be formed, packed, closed, and secured by hand without the use of a machine. While having the ability to be formed, packed, closed, and secured by hand, a machine may be used throughout any portion or the whole process as well.

[0042] Conventional cartons, such as RSC Cartons, includes major flaps, the side flaps disclosed herein, and minor flaps, the forward and rearward flaps disclosed herein. During the packing, closing, and securement of the RSC Cartons, the minor flaps are folded closed, then themajor flaps are folded closed, and the package is secured, such as with tape. This is in contrast to examples of the cartons described herein, where the side flaps, i.e., the major flaps, are folded underneath the forward and rearward flap, i.e., the minor. In this way, the minor flaps can be utilized to secure the major flaps and the carton overall to close the opening of the carton. This allows for the securement of the carton in a closed configuration without adhesives; although, as described above, adhesives can be used instead or in addition.

[0043] FIGS. 10 and 11 show an embodiment of a carton 150 including a removable portion 114 which spans across the front panel 112 and the side flaps 120. The carton 150 is similar to the carton 100 with regard to the benefits, structure, and modifications contemplated thereof. In this embodiment, and corresponding blank of FIG. 11, the weakness 118 extends from the front cutout 122 to a fold between the side panels 110 and the side flaps 120 and to the front panel 112. The removable portion 114, when removed, creates a display opening 146 having a width less than a width of the front panel 112. In this way, a lip defined by the remaining portion of the front panel 112 extends in a substantially U-shape along the front panel 112.

[0044] FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative of the carton 100 as described herein, but with the addition of a second line of weakness extending from the front cut-out 122. The second line of weakness extends towards the rearward flap 130. In this way, after the removable portion 114 is removed and packages 140 from within the carton 100 have been removed, the second line of weakness may be utilized to allow for a user to reach the packages 140 disposed in the back of the carton 100. The second line of weakness may extend to the rear cut-out 123 or, in some embodiments, extend beyond past the rear cut-out 123 and include a portion of the rearward flap 130. The second line of weakness extends on the side flaps 120 such that, when removed, a portion of the side flaps 120 is removed.

[0045] FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative of the carton 100 as described herein, but including a discontinuous lip, i.e., the remaining portion of the front panel 112 includes more than one portion. In this way, the display opening 146 may be larger while retaining the packages 140 disposed within the carton 100. In the embodiment shown, the portions of the front panel 112 are two separate pieces terminating at the edge between the front panel 112 and the bottom flaps 142, not shown, however, various shapes, configurations, and remaining portions are contemplated herein.

[0046] Some examples described herein present cartons, boxes, containers, or the like. In one example, a carton 100 is configured for storing and displaying packages 140. The packages 140 can include food packages, such as cookies, crackers, chips, or the like. The carton 100 can take on a rectangular or box-like shape that includes six surfaces or sides, including opposing top / bottom surfaces, opposing front / rear surfaces, and opposing right / left (or first / second) surfaces.

[0047] The exemplary carton 100 includes a bottom, a first and second opposing side panels 110, a front panel 112 extending between the two opposing side panels 110, and a rear panel 134 extending between the two opposing side panels 110. The carton 100 also includes a closable top adjacent the two opposing side panels 110, the front panel 112 and the rear panel 134, the closable top comprising a first flap 120 foldably connected to the first side panel 110, a second flap 120 foldably connected to the second side panel 110, as well as a rearward flap 130 foldably connected to the rear panel 134 and a forward flap 124 foldably connected to the front panel 112. The first flap 120, the second flap 120, the rearward flap 130, and the forward flap 124 being foldable from an open position in which packages 140 can be inserted into an interior of the carton via a top opening 136 and a closed positioned in which the first flap 120, the second flap 120, the rearward flap 130, and the forward flap 124 are folded to close the top opening 136.

[0048] The carton 100 also includes a removable portion 114 spanning across a portion of the two opposing side panels 1 10, a portion of the front panel 1 12 adjacent the forward flap 124 and at least a portion of the forward flap 124. The removable portion 114 being removable from the carton 100 to form a display opening 146. The carton 100 is configured to display packages 140 through the display opening 146 when the removable portion 114 has been removed, and a lip is defined by a remainder of the front panel 112 adjacent the bottom. In one embodiment, the removable portion 114 includes an entirety of the forward flap 124, and the forward flap 124 is completely removable with the removable portion 114.

[0049] As the removable portion 114 is removed, a portion of the first side panel 110 and a portion of the second side panel 110 are removed with the removable portion 114. This may be, for example, as approximately a 45 degree angle, however this angle can be changed depending on how much of a top length is desired to be removed from the side panels 110 while maintaining enough strength and rigidity to permit stacking of the boxes with the removable portion 114removed. The removable portion 114 is defined by a line of weakness 118 that spans at least a portion of the two opposing side panels 110, the front panel 112, and the first flap 120 and the second flap 120. In some embodiments, the line of weakness 118 extends beyond the front cut-out 122.

[0050] Any of the foregoing dimensions are by way of example only. The top length of the side panels 110 remaining after the removable portion 114 is removed is between about 70% and 90%, and may be approximately 80%-85% or 83%. This results in approximately 30% to 10%, 15% to 20% or about 17% of the top length of the side panels 110 is removed with the removable portion 114. Approximately 30% to 50%, or about 40% of a side length of the front panel 112 is removed with the removable portion 114. This results in approximately 70% to 50%, or about 60% of the side length of the front panel 112 remaining after the removable portion is removed. The lip remaining after the removable portion 114 is removed is approximately 20% to 40%, or about 30% of the side length of the front panel 112. The remaining portion of the side panels 110 after the removable portion 114 is removed may be changed in order to support the carton 100 when being stacked. The present disclosure contemplates a related proportion between the top length of the side panels 110 remaining and the side length of the front panel 112 after the removable portion 114 is removed, as well as unrelated proportions between these lengths.

[0051] In some examples, the lip created by the removal of the removable portion 114 is configured to retain packages placed inside of the carton. Further, the first flap 120 and the second flap 120 include two cut-outs 122 and 123 configured to secure the top opening 136 using the rearward flap 130 and forward flap 124. As described above, one of the two cut-outs, i.e., the front cut-out 122 is larger than the other, i.e., the rear cut-out 123. The first flap 120 and the second flap 120 include the two cut-outs 122 and 123 therein that fold to adjoin across a top centerline 116. The forward flap 124 includes a tab 126 configured to be inserted into the front cut-out 122 to secure the tab 126. Similarly, the rearward flap 130 includes a tab 132 configured to be inserted into the rear cut-out 123 to secure the top opening 136.

[0052] In yet further examples, the display opening 146 spans the two side panels 110, the front panel 112, and the closable top. The display opening 146 is sufficiently large to enable removal of the packages 140 through the display opening 146. In this way, the carton 100 may comprise a first row of packages 140 and an adjacent second row of packages 140, the first row ofpackages and the second row of packages received into the carton 100 through the top opening 136 in a vertical orientation (e.g., standing upright). Each of the packages 140 have indicia on a front surface of the packages 140, and the top opening 136 is configured to receive the two adjacent rows of vertically oriented packages so that the indicia on the front surface of the packages face toward the front panel 112 of the carton 100. The carton 100 is stackable onto a second carton. The second carton can be placed on top of the carton 100 without collapsing the carton 100.

[0053] The present disclosure also relates to methods for loading a shipping carton (e.g., any of the exemplary cartons described herein). The method includes arranging the closable top, namely the side flaps 120, the rearward flap 130, and the forward flap 124 in an open configuration. In some examples, the side flaps 120, the rearward flap 130, and the forward flap 124 may come initially separated so that this separation step is rolled in to the act of providing the carton.

[0054] The method also includes loading packages 140 into the carton 100 through the top opening 136. The packages 140 can be loaded from above the carton 100 in a vertical orientation. For example, the packages 140 may be arranged vertically, and loaded into the carton 100 such that indicia on the packages 140 faces the front panel 112. The loading can also include arranging the packages 140 into two adjacent rows of packages.

[0055] After loading, the side flaps 120 can then be folded over the top opening 136 so that the side flaps 120 adjoin along the top centerline 116. That is, the side flaps 120 can be folded over the top opening 136 to close off the top opening 136 with the packages stored therein. The top opening 136, as well as the side flaps 120, can be secured by folding the forward flap 124 and the rearward flap 130 down. In this way, the tab 126 and tab 132 can be inserted into the front cut-out 122 and the rear cut-out 123 to secure the carton 100.

[0056] The loaded carton can then be shipped, for example, to a retail environment, whereby the carton can be arranged in a display configuration. Additionally, the carton can be arranged to be stacked onto a second carton. The removable portion can then be removed to display the vertically arranged packages in the carton.

[0057] The present disclosure also describes examples of methods for displaying products in a shipping carton. The method includes displaying packages 140 that have been loaded into one of the described cartons and then closed. In particular, the method involves displaying packages that have been loaded in at least one vertical row in the carton. The at least one row of packages140 received into the carton through the top opening 136 in a vertical orientation. The method includes removing the removable portion 114 from the carton 100 by tearing the removable portion 114 along a line of weakness 118 that spans across at least a portion of the front panel 112, the first side panel 110, the second side panel 110, and the side flaps 120, the rearward flap 130, and the forward flap 124. The method also includes orienting the carton 100 in a vertical display configuration, where the at least one row of packages 140 are arranged side by side with one another.

[0058] The method may include initiating the tearing of the removable portion 114 by pushing or inserting the user’s hand into the front cut-out 122 and pulling the removable portion 114. The removable portion 1 14 tears along the weakness 118 of the carton 100. Once torn, the removable portion 114 can be removed and establishes the display opening 146. The display opening 146 displays the indicia on the packages 140 and that enables removal of the packages 140 therethrough.

[0059] The present disclosure describes preferred embodiments and examples of the present technology. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept. In addition, it should also be understood that features of one embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments to provide yet other embodiments, as desired. All references cited in the present disclosure are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A carton for storing and displaying a plurality of packages, the carton comprising: a bottom; first and second opposing side panels; a front panel extending between the two opposing side panels and a rear panel extending between the two opposing side panels; a closable top adjacent the two opposing side panels, the front panel and the rear panel, the closable top comprising a first flap foldably connected to the first side panel, a second flap foldably connected to the second side panel, a rearward flap foldably connected to the rear panel and a forward flap foldably connected to the front panel, the first, second, rearward and forward flaps being foldable from an open position in which packages can be inserted into an interior of the carton via a top opening and a closed positioned in which the first , second, rearward and forward flaps are folded to close the top opening; and a removable portion spanning across a portion of the front panel adjacent the forward flap and an entirety of the forward flap, the removable portion being removable to form a display opening, wherein the carton is configured to display packages through the display opening when the removable portion has been removed, and wherein a lip is defined by a remainder of the front panel adjacent the bottom.

2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the removable portion further spans across a portion of the two opposing side panels.

3. The carton of claim 1, wherein the forward flap is completely removable with the removable portion.

4. The carton of claim 2, wherein a portion of the first side panel and a portion of the second side panel are removed with the removable portion.

5. The carton of claim 1, wherein the lip is configured to retain packages placed inside of the carton.

6. The carton of claim 1, wherein the first flap and the second flap include two cut-outs configured to secure the top opening using the rearward flap and forward flap.

7. The carton of claim 6, wherein one of the two cut-outs is larger than the other.

8. The carton of claim 1, wherein the display opening spans the two side panels, the front panel, and the closable top.

9. The carton of claim 1, wherein the display opening is sufficiently large to enable removal of the packages through the display opening.

10. The carton of claim 1, wherein the carton comprises a first row of packages and an adjacent second row of packages, the first row of packages and the second row of packages received into the carton through the top opening in a vertical orientation.

11. The carton of claim 10, wherein each of the packages have indicia on a front surface of the packages, wherein the top opening is configured to receive the two adjacent rows of vertically oriented packages so that the indicia on the front surface of the packages face toward the front panel of the carton.

12. The carton of claim 1 , wherein the first flap and the second flap include two cut-outs therein that fold to adjoin across a top centerline.

13. The carton of claim 12, wherein the two cut-outs include a front cut-out and a rear cutout.

14. The carton of claim 13, wherein the forward flap includes a front tab configured to be inserted into the front cut-out to secure the top opening.

15. The carton of claim 13, wherein the rearward flap includes a rear tab configured to be inserted into the rear cut-out to secure the top opening.

16. The carton of claim 1, wherein the carton is stackable onto a second carton.

17. The carton of claim 16, wherein the second carton can be placed on top of the carton without collapsing the carton.

18. The carton of claim 1, wherein the removable portion is defined by a line of weakness that spans at least a portion of the two opposing side panels, the front panel, and the first flap and the second flap.

19. Amethod of loading the carton of claim 1, wherein the method comprises: arranging the closable top in an open configuration; loading packages, including indicia disposed thereon, from above the carton into the carton through the closable top in an open configuration, the loading including arranging thepackages to form two adjacent rows of vertical packages within the carton such that the indicia on the packages face toward the front panel of the carton; folding the at least two of the three flaps over the top opening such that at least one flap adjoins with at least one of another flap; and closing the top opening by folding a remaining flap of the three flaps into openings in the at least two of the three flaps.

20. A method of displaying packages of the carton of claim 1, wherein the carton comprises a plurality of rows of packages, the plurality of rows of packages received into the carton through the top opening in a vertical orientation, the method comprising: removing the removable portion from the carton by tearing the removable portion along a line of weakness that spans across at least a portion of the front panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the first, second, and forward flaps; and orienting the carton in a vertical display configuration, wherein the plurality of rows of packages are arranged side by side with one another.

Images