Carton with features for pouring

Abstract

A carton includes selectively-deployable features for use in pouring contents from the carton. The features may include an opening, one or more features for obstructing and being moved away from the opening, and features for forming a spout adjacent to the opening.

1 . A carton from which contents may be poured, the carton comprising: 
 a plurality of panels that extends around and defines an interior of the carton;    a first end flap foldably connected to a first panel of the plurality of panels; and    a second end flap foldably connected to a second panel of the plurality of panels, wherein    the first and second end flaps are in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form an end panel that at least partially closes an end of the carton,    the end panel cooperates with at least one of the plurality of panels to at least partially form a corner of the carton,    the first end flap at least partially defines an opening that substantially extends to the corner of the carton and is adapted for use in pouring contents from the carton,    the second end flap comprises an obstructing portion that at least indirectly obstructs the opening, and    the second end flap is adapted so that at least the obstructing portion can be moved away from the opening.    
     
     
         2 . The carton according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening extends to an outer edge of the first end flap.  
     
     
         3 . The carton according to  claim 1 , wherein the obstructing portion is at least partially defined by at least one line of disruption formed in the second end flap.  
     
     
         4 . The carton according to  claim 3 , wherein the line of disruption comprises a tear line.  
     
     
         5 . The carton according to  claim 4 , wherein the obstructing portion comprises a tear-away portion that is at least partially defined by the tear line.  
     
     
         6 . The carton according to  claim 1 , further comprising a third end flap foldably connected to a third panel of the plurality of panels, wherein: 
 the third end flap is part of the end panel, the third end flap comprises an obstructing portion that at least indirectly obstructs the opening, and    the third end flap is adapted so that at least the obstructing portion of the third end flap can be moved away from the opening.    
     
     
         7 . The carton according to  claim 6 , wherein the third end flap is positioned between the first and second end flaps.  
     
     
         8 . The carton according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a first panel of the plurality of panels includes an elongate line of disruption that substantially extends to the corner of the carton,    the elongate line of disruption extends from proximate the corner at least partially across the first panel, and    at least a portion of the elongate line of disruption is positioned between fold lines by which the first panel is respectively foldably connected to second and third panels of the plurality of panels.    
     
     
         9 . The carton according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 each of the elongate line of disruption and the fold lines extend in a longitudinal direction, whereby the elongate line of disruption is a longitudinal line of disruption, the first panel includes an oblique line of disruption that extends from proximate the longitudinal line of disruption to proximate a fold line of the fold lines, and    the oblique line of disruption extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal line of disruption.    
     
     
         10 . The carton according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 the oblique line of disruption is a first oblique line of disruption;    the fold line is a first fold line;    a second oblique line of disruption extends 
 (a) from proximate both the longitudinal line of disruption and an end of the first oblique line of disruption  
 (b) to proximate a second fold line of the fold lines.  
   
     
     
         11 . A carton from which contents may be poured, the carton comprising: 
 a plurality of panels that extends around and defines an interior of the carton, wherein a first panel of the plurality of panels is foldably connected to second and third panels of the plurality of panels by respective fold lines; and    an end panel that at least partially closes an end of the carton and cooperates with at least the first panel to at least partially form a corner of the carton, wherein    the end panel is adapted for at least partially defining an opening proximate the corner of the carton,    the carton is adapted so that the first panel is for being deformed to at least partially form a spout that is proximate the opening for at least partially facilitating pouring from the opening, and    the carton being adapted comprises 
 (a) the first panel comprising an elongate line of disruption that is for having the first panel deform therealong, with the elongate line of disruption extending from proximate the corner at least partially across the first panel, and at least a portion of the elongate line of disruption being positioned between the fold lines, which respectively foldably connect the first panel to the second and third panels, and  
 (b) the end panel being adapted for bracing the second and third panels apart from one another while the spout is formed.  
   
     
     
         12 . The carton according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 the elongate line of disruption is a first elongate line of disruption,    the end panel includes a plurality of end flaps,    an end flap of the plurality of end flaps is foldably connected to the first panel,    the end flap comprises a second elongate line of disruption that is for having the end flap deform therealong,    the second elongate line of disruption extends from proximate the corner at least partially across the end flap, and    at least a portion of the second elongate line of disruption is positioned between opposite edges of the end flap.    
     
     
         13 . The carton according to  claim 11 , wherein: 
 each of the elongate line of disruption and the fold lines extend in a longitudinal direction, whereby the elongate line of disruption is a longitudinal line of disruption, and    an oblique line of disruption extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal line of disruption, from proximate the longitudinal line of disruption to proximate a fold line of the fold lines.    
     
     
         14 . The carton according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the oblique line of disruption is a first oblique line of disruption;    the fold line is a first fold line;    a second oblique line of disruption extends 
 (a) from proximate both the longitudinal line of disruption and an end of the first oblique line of disruption  
 (b) to proximate a second fold line of the fold lines.  
   
     
     
         15 . A method of pouring contents from a carton, comprising: 
 partially opening at least an end panel of the carton so that the carton has an opening through which contents may be poured from the carton, wherein the partially opening comprises leaving a predetermined portion of the end panel substantially intact, so that the predetermined portion of the end panel closes a substantial portion of an end of the carton;    squeezing a predetermined portion of the carton, wherein 
 (a) the carton is adapted so that at least one portion of the carton deforms, in response to the squeezing of the predetermined portion of the carton, to substantially form a spout that is proximate the opening, and  
 (b) the carton being adapted comprises the predetermined portion of the end panel bracing panels of the carton apart from one another in a manner that restricts the spout from collapsing; and  
   pouring contents from the carton by way of the opening and the spout while the substantially intact, predetermined portion of the end panel closes the substantial portion of the end of the carton.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the opening is positioned in a corner of the carton.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising ceasing the squeezing, so that the spout automatically substantially ceases to be formed in response to the ceasing of the squeezing.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein: 
 the opening exists prior to the partially opening;    the preexisting opening is obstructed prior to the partially opening; and    the partially opening comprises exposing the preexisting opening.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the squeezing of the predetermined portion of the carton comprises squeezing opposite sides of the carton so that one or more portions of the carton bow outwardly to form the spout.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the carton is adapted so that at least a portion of a panel of the carton bows outwardly in response to the squeezing of the opposite sides of the carton.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the carton is adapted so that at least a portion of an end flap bows outwardly in response to the squeezing of the opposite sides of the carton.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein: 
 the predetermined portion of the end panel is a first predetermined portion of the end panel, and    the partially opening comprises at least partially dismantling a second predetermined portion of the end panel of the carton.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the dismantling of the second predetermined portion of the end panel of the carton comprises: 
 outwardly folding an end flap that is part of the end panel.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the dismantling of the second predetermined portion of the end panel of the carton comprises: 
 tearing along a tear line that at least partially defines a tear-away portion of an end flap that is part of the end panel.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein: 
 the dismantling of the second predetermined portion of the end panel of the carton comprises    (a) at least further exposing a first end flap that is part of the end panel, wherein the at least further exposing of the first end flap comprises moving at least a portion of a second end flap, which is part of the end panel and overlaps the first end flap, away from the first end flap, and    (b) then at least further exposing a third end flap that is part of the end panel, wherein the at least further exposing of the third end flap comprises moving at least a portion of the first end flap, which overlaps the third end flap, away from the third end flap, and the third end flap at least partially defines the opening.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising at least partially closing the opening after the pouring of the contents, wherein the at least partially closing of the opening comprises obstructing the opening with the first end flap.  
     
     
         27 . A carton blank comprising: 
 a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, wherein the third panel includes opposite first and second edges that are respectively foldably connected to the first and second panels;    a first end flap having a first edge foldably connected to the first panel at a first fold line; and    a second end flap having a first edge foldably connected to the second panel at a second fold line that is substantially aligned with the first fold line, wherein the first end flap includes opposite second and third edges,    the first end flap defines a hole that is at least partially defined by the second edge of the first end flap,    the second end flap includes opposite second and third edges,    the second end flap comprises a line of disruption that is proximate the second edge of the second end flap,    the line of disruption at least partially defines a portion of the second end flap that is movable relative to a remainder of the second end flap, and    the movable portion of the second end flap includes at least a portion of the second edge of the second end flap.    
     
     
         28 . The blank of  claim 27 , wherein 
 the second edge of the first end flap is positioned between the second end flap and the third edge of the first end flap, and    the second edge of the second end flap is positioned between the first end flap and the third edge of the second end flap.    
     
     
         29 . The blank of  claim 27 , further comprising a third end flap having a first edge foldably connected to the third panel at a third fold line, wherein 
 the third fold line is substantially aligned with the first and second fold lines, the third end flap comprising an elongate line of disruption, and    at least a portion of the elongate line of disruption is positioned between opposite second and third edges of the third end flap.    
     
     
         30 . The blank of  claim 29 , wherein the elongate line of disruption comprises a crease line.  
     
     
         31 . The blank of  claim 29 , wherein the elongate line of disruption divides the third end flap.  
     
     
         32 . The blank of  claim 27 , wherein the line of disruption comprises a tear line.  
     
     
         33 . The blank of  claim 32 , wherein the movable portion of the second end flap comprises a tear-away portion that is at least partially defined by the tear line.  
     
     
         34 . The blank of  claim 27 , wherein: 
 the third panel comprising an elongate line of disruption, and at least a portion of the elongate line of disruption is positioned between, and extends substantially parallel to, the first and second edges of the third panel.    
     
     
         35 . The blank of  claim 34 , wherein the elongate line of disruption comprises a crease line.  
     
     
         36 . The blank of  claim 34 , wherein: 
 the elongate line of disruption extends in a longitudinal direction, whereby the elongate line of disruption is a longitudinal line of disruption, and    an oblique line of disruption extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal line of disruption from proximate the longitudinal line of disruption to proximate the first edge of the third panel.    
     
     
         37 . The blank of  claim 36 , wherein: 
 the oblique line of disruption is a first oblique line of disruption; and    a second oblique line of disruption extends    (a) from proximate both the longitudinal line of disruption and an end of the first oblique line of disruption    (b) to proximate the second edge of the third panel.