Dispensing feature with built-in combination retention and ad panel

Abstract

A carton for dispensing articles having a dispensing feature with a built-in retention feature capable of being utilized as a promotional flag. A plurality of panels are connected together to define an end of the carton. A displaceable portion at the end of the carton may be detached from the carton end to define an opening for dispensing the articles from within the carton. Within the interior of the erected carton is a panel portion that is obscured from view within the carton prior to the displaceable portion being at least partially detached from the carton. The panel portion is exposed to the exterior of the carton through the opening by at least partial detachment of the displaceable portion from the carton. A distal end of the panel portion extends into the opening for restraining articles within the carton. The panel portion may also be used as an ad panel to allow greater promotional flexibility.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A carton for dispensing articles, comprising: 
 a plurality of panels defining a carton end;    a displaceable portion detachably connected to said carton end to be at least partially detached from said carton to define an opening for exposing an endmost article in the carton for removal, said displaceable portion at least partially defined by a first weakened line in some of said panels, said opening defining an upper edge of said carton end when said displaceable portion is at least partially detached from said carton end along said first weakened line; and    a panel portion visually exposed to an exterior of said carton through said opening by at least partial detachment of said displaceable portion from said carton end, a distal end of said panel portion extending upwardly beyond said upper edge and into said opening for restraining articles within said carton, said distal end is connected to a remainder of said panel portion along a second weakened line corresponding substantially with said upper edge of said carton end so as to be pivotable along said second weakened line.    
     
     
         2 . The carton of  claim 1  wherein said distal end of said panel portion is detachable along said weakened line.  
     
     
         3 . The carton of  claim 2  wherein said distal end of said panel portion includes a graphic surface carrying promotional indicia thereon.  
     
     
         4 . The carton of  claim 3  wherein said distal end of said panel portion is a game piece.  
     
     
         5 . The carton of  claim 3  wherein said distal end of said panel portion is a voucher.  
     
     
         6 . The carton of  claim 1  wherein said panel portion is formed from an end flap hingedly connected to a bottom panel of the carton.  
     
     
         7 . The carton of  claim 1  wherein said panel portion is formed from a pair of secured major end flaps hingedly connected respectively to a pair of secured bottom panels of the carton.  
     
     
         8 . A carton formed from a single blank, said blank comprising: 
 a top panel;    a side panel connected along a fold line to each opposing edge of said top panel;    a first bottom panel connected along a fold line to one of said side panels at an edge thereof opposite said top panel, said top panel, said side panels, and said bottom panel defining a tubular structure;    an end structure for at least partially closing each of opposite ends of said tubular structure;    a displaceable portion detachably connected to said carton to be at least partially detached from said carton to define an opening for exposing an endmost article in said carton for removal, said displaceable portion at least partially defined by a first weakened line in said carton, said opening defining an upper edge of one of said end structures when said displaceable portion is at least partially detached from said carton along said first weakened line; and    a panel portion within said interior obscured from view prior to said displaceable portion being at least partially detached from said carton, said panel portion visually exposed to the exterior of said carton through said opening by at least partial detachment of said displaceable portion from said carton, a distal end of said panel portion extending beyond said upper edge and into said opening for restraining articles within said carton, said distal end being connected to a remainder of said panel portion along a second weakened line corresponding substantially with said upper edge of said one end structure so as to be pivotable along said second weakened line.    
     
     
         9 . The carton of  claim 8  wherein said distal end of said panel portion is detachable along said second weakened line.  
     
     
         10 . The carton of  claim 9  wherein said distal end of said panel portion includes a graphic surface carrying promotional indicia thereon.  
     
     
         11 . The carton of  claim 10  wherein said distal end said panel portion is a game piece.  
     
     
         12 . The carton of  claim 10  wherein said distal end of said panel portion is a voucher.  
     
     
         13 . The carton of  claim 8  wherein said panel portion is formed from an end flap hingedly connected to said bottom panel.  
     
     
         14 . The carton of  claim 8  further comprising a second bottom panel connected along a fold line to the other side panel at an edge thereof opposite said top panel, said first and second bottom panels being secured together so that said tubular structure is formed by said top panel, said side panels, and said first and second bottom panels, wherein said panel portion is formed from a pair of secured major end flaps hingedly connected to said first and second bottom panels respectively.