IP Library Granted Patent US 12,654,902
Granted Patent B2
US 12,654,902 · App. 18/440,140 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Carton with dispenser

Inventor: Jeffrey D. Smith (Solon, OH)
Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
B65D5/745B65D5/6602B65D5/701
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,654,902
App. No.
18/440,140
Granted
Jun 16, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A carton for at least one article includes a plurality of panels, a panel of the plurality of panels least partially defining a first dispenser opening, at least one top end flap having a base portion and a distal portion, the distal portion of the at least one top end flap at least partially defining a second dispenser opening, and a reconfigurable dispenser including the at least one top end flap, the first dispenser opening, and the second dispenser opening, the reconfigurable dispenser being reconfigurable between a first configuration providing a closed end of the carton, and a second configuration, in which the reconfigurable dispenser is lifted away from the interior of the carton such that the first dispenser opening and second dispenser opening are at least partially aligned to provide access to the interior of the carton.

Claims (53)

1 . 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 comprising a front panel, a back panel, and at least one side panel, wherein the back panel at least partially defines a first dispenser opening extending from a top end of the back panel to a distal end;

a first top end flap foldably connected to the back panel of the plurality of panels along a first line of weakening having a first portion on a left side of the first dispenser opening and a second portion on a right side of the first dispenser opening, and a second top end flap foldably connected to the front panel of the plurality of panels wherein the second top end flap includes a base portion and a distal portion, the distal portion of the second top end flap at least partially defining a second dispenser opening; and

a reconfigurable dispenser comprising the second top end flap,

the reconfigurable dispenser being reconfigurable between a first configuration, in which the base portion extends from the back panel to the front panel providing a closed end of the carton, and a second configuration, in which the base portion is pivoted away from the back panel such that the first dispenser opening and second dispenser opening are at least partially aligned to provide access to the interior of the carton.

2 . The carton of claim 1 , wherein the second dispenser opening is for being positioned below the first dispenser opening when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the first configuration.

3 . The carton of claim 2 , wherein the distal portion of the first top end flap is foldably connected to the base portion of the first top end flap.

4 . The carton of claim 3 , wherein the distal portion of the first top end flap is positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the front panel and positioned for slidable movement relative thereto when the reconfigurable dispenser is reconfigured between the first configuration and the second configuration.

5 . The carton of claim 1 , wherein the carton further comprises access features for facilitating reconfiguration of the reconfigurable dispenser between the first configuration and the second configuration, the access features comprising the second top end flap in at least partial face-to-face contact with the first top end flap.

6 . The carton of claim 5 , wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the second top end flap separably connected to the front panel.

7 . The carton of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a corner panel positioned between the front panel and the at least one side panel.

8 . The carton of claim 7 , wherein the corner panel is foldably connected to each of the front panel and the at least one side panel at a respective curved fold line.

9 . The carton of claim 7 , comprising a third top end flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel, the third top end flap for at least partially overlying the interior of the carton when the reconfigurable dispenser is in each of the first configuration and the second configuration.

10 . The carton of claim 9 , wherein the distal portion of the first top end flap at least partially defines a recessed notch and the third top end flap at least partially defines a flanged portion, the recessed notch for at least partially receiving the flanged portion when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

11 . The carton of claim 10 , further comprising a fourth top end flap wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the fourth top end flap foldably connected to the second side panel for being positioned at least partially overlying the interior of the carton when the reconfigurable dispenser is in each of the first configuration and the second configuration, the recessed notch is a first recessed notch at least partially defined by the first top end flap and the first top end flap at least partially defines a second recessed notch, and the fourth top end flap at least partially defines a flanged portion, the second recessed notch configured for at least partially receiving the flanged portion of the fourth top end flap when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

12 . The carton of claim 10 , wherein the second top end flap comprises a base portion separably connected to the front panel a third line of weakening, and a distal portion separably connected to the base portion at a fourth line of weakening.

13 . The carton of claim 1 , wherein the base portion of the first top end flap is separably connected to the back panel of the plurality of panels at the first line of weakening, and a distal portion separably connected to the base portion at a second line of weakening.

14 . The carton of claim 13 , wherein the base portion of the second top end flap at least partially defines an access tab protruding past the distal portion of the second top end flap.

15 . A blank for forming a carton for holding at least one article, the blank comprising:

a plurality of panels for extending at least partially around an interior of the carton formed from the blank, the plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a back panel, and at least one side panel, wherein the back panel at least partially defines a first dispenser opening extending from a top end of the back panel to a distal end;

a first top end flap foldably connected to the back panel of the plurality of panels along a first line of weakening having a first portion on a left side of the first dispenser opening and a second portion on a right side of the first dispenser opening, and a second top end flap foldably connected to the front panel of the plurality of panels wherein the second top end flap includes a base portion and a distal portion, the distal portion of the second top end flap at least partially defining a second dispenser opening; and

features for forming a reconfigurable dispenser comprising the second top end flap,

the features for forming the reconfigurable dispenser when the carton is formed from the blank such that the reconfigurable dispenser is reconfigurable between a first configuration, in which base portion extends from the back panel to the front panel providing a closed end of the carton formed from the blank, and a second configuration, in which the base portion is pivoted away from the back panel formed from the blank such that the first dispenser opening and second dispenser opening are at least partially aligned to provide access to the interior of the carton formed from the blank.

16 . The blank of claim 15 , wherein the distal portion of the first top end flap is foldably connected to the base portion of the first top end flap.

17 . The blank of claim 16 , wherein the carton further comprises access features for facilitating reconfiguration of the reconfigurable dispenser between the first configuration and the second configuration, the access features comprising the second top end flap for being positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the first top end flap when the carton is formed from the blank.

18 . The blank of claim 17 , wherein the base portion of the first top end flap is separably connected to the back panel of the plurality of panels at the first line of weakening, and a distal portion separably connected to the base portion at a second line of weakening.

19 . The blank of claim 18 , wherein the first dispenser opening interrupts the first line of weakening.

20 . The blank of claim 18 , wherein the base portion of the second top end flap at least partially defines an access tab protruding past the distal portion of the second top end flap.

21 . The blank of claim 17 , wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the second top end flap separably connected to the front panel.

22 . The blank of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a corner panel positioned between the front panel and the at least one side panel.

23 . The blank of claim 22 , wherein the corner panel is foldably connected to each of the front panel and the at least one side panel at a respective curved fold line.

24 . The blank of claim 22 , further comprising a third top end flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel, the third top end flap for at least partially overlying the interior of the carton formed from the blank when the reconfigurable dispenser is in each of the first configuration and the second configuration when the carton is formed from the blank.

25 . The blank of claim 24 , wherein the distal portion of the first top end flap at least partially defines a recessed notch and the third top end flap at least partially defines a flanged portion, the recessed notch for at least partially receiving the flanged portion when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration when the carton is formed from the blank.

26 . The blank of claim 25 , further comprising a fourth top end flap, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the fourth top end flap foldably connected to the second side panel for being positioned at least partially overlying the interior of the carton formed from the blank when the reconfigurable dispenser is in each of the first configuration and the second configuration when the carton is formed from the blank, the recessed notch is a first recessed notch at least partially defined by the first top end flap and the first top end flap at least partially defines a second recessed notch, and the fourth top end flap at least partially defines a flanged portion, the second recessed notch for at least partially receiving the flanged portion of the fourth top end flap when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration when the carton is formed from the blank.

27 . The blank of claim 25 , wherein the second top end flap comprises a base portion separably connected to the front panel at a third line of weakening, and a distal portion separably connected to the base portion at a fourth line of weakening.

28 . A method of forming a carton for holding at least one article, the method comprising:

obtaining a plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a back panel, and at least one side panel, wherein the back panel at least partially defines a first dispenser opening extending from a top end of the back panel to a distal end, a first top end flap foldably connected to the back panel of the plurality of panels along a first line of weakening having a first portion on a left side of the first dispenser opening and a second portion on a right side of the first dispenser opening, and a second top end flap foldably connected to the front panel of the plurality of panels wherein the second top end flap includes, a base portion and a distal portion, the distal portion of the second top end flap at least partially defining a second dispenser opening;

positioning the plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton; and

arranging the second top end flap to form a reconfigurable dispenser such that the reconfigurable dispenser is reconfigurable between a first configuration, in which the base portion extends from the back panel to the front panel providing a closed end of the carton, and a second configuration, in which the base portion is pivoted away from the back panel such that the first dispenser opening and second dispenser opening are at least partially aligned to provide access to the interior of the carton.

29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein arranging the second top end flap to form a reconfigurable dispenser comprises forming the reconfigurable dispenser such that the second dispenser opening is for being positioned below the first dispenser opening when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the first configuration.

30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the distal portion of the first top end flap is foldably connected to the base portion of the first top end flap.

31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the arranging the second top end flap to form a reconfigurable dispenser comprises forming the reconfigurable dispenser such that the distal portion of the first top end flap is positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the front panel and positioned for slidable movement relative thereto when the reconfigurable dispenser is reconfigured between the first configuration and the second configuration.

32 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises access features for facilitating reconfiguration of the reconfigurable dispenser between the first configuration and the second configuration, the access features comprising the second top end flap, and the method further comprises positioning the second top end flap in at least partial face-to-face contact with the first top end flap.

33 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the the base portion of the first top end flap is separably connected to the back panel of the plurality of panels at the first line of weakening, and a distal portion separably connected to the base portion at a second line of weakening.

34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein the base portion of the second top end flap at least partially defines an access tab protruding past the distal portion of the second top end flap.

35 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the first dispenser opening interrupts the first line of weakening.

36 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the second top end flap separably connected to the front panel.

37 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a corner panel positioned between the front panel and the at least one side panel.

38 . The method of claim 37 , wherein the corner panel is foldably connected to each of the front panel and the at least one side panel at a respective curved fold line.

39 . The method of claim 37 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a third top end flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel, and the method further comprises positioning the third top end flap at least partially overlying the interior of the carton.

40 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the distal portion of the first top end flap at least partially defines a recessed notch and the third top end flap at least partially defines a flanged portion, and the method further comprises positioning the recessed notch for at least partially receiving the flanged portion when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

41 . The method of claim 40 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a fourth top end flap, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the fourth top end flap foldably connected to the second side panel, the method further comprises positioning the fourth top end flap at least partially overlying the interior of the carton, the recessed notch is a first recessed notch at least partially defined by the first top end flap and the first top end flap at least partially defines a second recessed notch, and the fourth top end flap at least partially defines a flanged portion, and the arranging the second top end flap to form a reconfigurable dispenser comprises forming the reconfigurable dispenser such that the second recessed notch is positioned for at least partially receiving the flanged portion of the fourth top end flap when the reconfigurable dispenser is in the second configuration.

42 . The method of claim 40 , wherein the second top end flap comprises a base portion separably connected to the front panel at a third line of weakening, and a distal portion separably connected to the base portion at a fourth line of weakening.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 14, 2024
From: SMITH, JEFFREY D.
To: GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 067398/0907 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63445384 · Feb 14, 2023
Related Publication 20240270439A1 · Aug 15, 2024
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