Carton with detachable portion

Abstract

A carton ( 200 ) including a top wall ( 214 ), a bottom wall ( 218 ), opposing side walls ( 212, 216 ), and first and second end walls ( 220, 222 ). A detachable portion ( 210 ) of the carton ( 200 ) is defined by a severance line ( 180 ) to include at least a portion of the top wall ( 214 ) and a portion of the side walls ( 212, 216 ). The top wall portion ( 182 ) of the severance line ( 180 ) is spaced apart from the second end wall ( 222 ) by a certain distance D 1 such that a portion of the top wall ( 214 ) remains to provide structural integrity to the carton ( 200 ) after the detachable portion ( 210 ) is detached. The distance (D 1 ) is also determined such that articles (B) in the carton ( 200 ) are viewable and easily accessed. The minimum distance (D 1 ) between a top wall portion ( 182 ) of the severance line ( 180 ) and the second end wall ( 222 ) is no greater than half of the distance between the first and second end walls ( 220, 222 ).

1 . A carton for enclosing a plurality of articles, comprising: 
 a tubular structure comprising a top wall hingedly connected to opposing side walls;    first and second end walls enclosing ends of said tubular structure, each end wall being hingedly connected to said top wall and said side walls; and    a detachable portion defined by a severance line extending across at least a portion of said top wall, at least a portion of said side walls, and a least a portion of said first end wall, the detachable portion being at least partially removable to form a dispenser for removing articles from said carton;    wherein the minimum distance between a top wall portion of said severance line and said second end wall is no greater than half of the distance between the first and second end walls.    
     
     
         2 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein the top wall portion of said severance line is substantially closer to said second end wall than to said first end wall.  
     
     
         3 . The carton of  claim 1 , including a tear initiation arrangement that is hingedly connected to said top wall, and that is at least partially defined by said top wall portion of said severance line.  
     
     
         4 . The carton of  claim 3 , wherein said tear initiation arrangement is located between said top wall portion of said severance line and said second end wall.  
     
     
         5 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein the minimum distance between at least one of the side wall portions of said severance line and the second end wall is no greater than half of the distance between the first and second end walls.  
     
     
         6 . The carton of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said tubular structure further comprises a bottom wall that is connected to said opposing side walls, said bottom wall opposing said top wall; and    the minimum distance between at least one of the side wall portions of said severance line and said bottom wall is no greater than half of the height of the carton.    
     
     
         7 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein said severance line extending at least partially across said end wall is severable to define the upper edge of a stopper wall, said stopper wall being for retaining articles in said carton upon removal of said detachable portion.  
     
     
         8 . The carton of  claim 6 , wherein the maximum distance between said bottom wall and said upper edge of said stopper wall is greater than said minimum distance between said at least one of the side wall portions of said severance line and said bottom wall.  
     
     
         9 . A carton for enclosing a plurality of articles, comprising: 
 a tubular structure comprising a top wall hingedly connected to opposing side walls;    first and second end walls enclosing ends of said tubular structure, each end wall being hingedly connected to said top wall and said side walls; and    a detachable portion defined by a severance line extending across at least a portion of said top wall, across at least a portion of said side walls, and generally along at least a portion of the hinged connection between said top wall and said first end wall, the detachable portion being at least partially removable to form a dispenser for removing articles from said carton;    wherein the minimum distance between a top wall portion of said severance line and said second end wall is no greater than half of the distance between the first and second end walls; and    wherein removal of said detachable portion along said hinged connection between said top wall and said first end wall defines the upper edge of a stopper wall that is for retaining articles in said carton.    
     
     
         10 . The carton of  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said tubular structure further comprises a bottom wall that is connected to said opposing side walls, said bottom wall opposing said top wall;    the minimum distance between at least one of the side wall portions of said severance line and the second end wall is no greater than half of the distance between the first and second end walls; and    the minimum distance between at least one of the side wall portions of said severance line and said bottom wall is no greater than half of the height of the carton.    
     
     
         11 . A package, comprising: 
 a plurality of substantially identical and substantially cylindrical articles arranged in an array having a plurality of rows;    a carton for enclosing said articles, said carton comprising: 
 a tubular structure comprising a top wall and an opposed bottom wall, each being hingedly connected to opposing side walls;  
 first and second end walls enclosing ends of said tubular structure, each end wall being hingedly connected to each of said top wall, bottom wall, and said side walls; and  
 a detachable portion defined by a severance line extending across at least a portion of said top wall, at least a portion of said side walls, and a least a portion of said first end wall, the detachable portion being at least partially removable to form a dispenser for selectively removing said articles from said carton;  
   wherein the minimum distance between a top wall portion of said severance line and said second end wall is no greater than half of the distance between the first and second end walls.    
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein said minimum distance between said top wall portion of said severance line and said second end wall is at least half the diameter of one of said articles.  
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein removal of said detachable portion no more than partially exposes the rearmost row of articles disposed along said second end wall.  
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein said articles are disposed on bottoms thereof atop the bottom wall of said carton, with said rows being aligned with said first and second end walls.  
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein: 
 said articles are disposed on sides thereof in at least one tier extending along the bottom wall of said carton, with ends thereof being disposed said first and second end walls; and    the minimum distance between at least one of the side wall portions of said severance line and the bottom wall is no greater than half the diameter of one of said articles.