Carton with configurable dispenser

Abstract

A carton with a configurable dispenser that can be opened while resting on its side or on its bottom wall and that can dispense articles one at a time, in groups, or in a wholesale fashion. A restricted opening is formed by at least partial detachment of a dispensing flap, which permits limited access and side dispensing. An access opening is formed by at least partially detaching an unloading flap, which enhances the degree to which articles can be accessed and is useful for top unloading. The dispensing flap and the unloading flap are defined by two pairs of severance lines that diverge from a hand hold, dust flap or other tear initiation means and toward the side walls. The tear initiation means is off center, being positioned closer to one of the side walls of the carton than the other. Retention flaps cooperate with the remaining one of the dispensing flap and the unloading flap to restrain articles, particularly when the articles are dispensed while the carton rests on its side. Alternatively, both the dispensing flap and the unloading flap can be at least partially detached to enhance access to the articles for top unloading. Access can be maximized by detaching the retention flaps as well.

1 . A carton for enclosing a plurality of articles arranged in rows, comprising: 
 a top wall and a pair of side walls each hingedly connected along one of a pair of opposed side edges of said top wall;    a hand hold formed in said top wall, said hand hold being off center with respect said pair of opposed side edges; and    a dispenser formed in said top wall, said dispenser being defined by a first pair of severance lines and a second pair of severance lines, each of said first and said second pairs of severance lines diverging from said hand hold to one of said pair of opposed side edges.    
   
   
       2 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein said first pair of severance lines defines a dispensing flap that is capable of being at least partially detached along said first pair of severance lines to form a restrictive opening.  
   
   
       3 . The carton of  claim 2 , wherein said restrictive opening is capable of limiting access to the articles to at least some of the articles in a row that extends along one of said pair of side walls.  
   
   
       4 . The carton of  claim 2 , wherein said second pair of severance lines defines an unloading flap that is capable of being at least partially detached along said second pair of severance lines to form an access opening.  
   
   
       5 . The carton of  claim 4 , wherein said access opening is capable of exposing articles in more than one row of the carton.  
   
   
       6 . The carton of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a pair of end walls, each hingedly connected along an end edge of said top wall and an end edge of each of said pair of side walls; and    a first retention flap defined by one of said first pair of severance lines and one of said second lines, and hingedly connected to one of said end walls.    
   
   
       7 . The carton of  claim 6 , wherein said first retention flap is capable of restraining at least some of said articles when one of said dispensing flap and said unloading flap is at least partially detached.  
   
   
       8 . The carton of  claim 6 , further comprising a second retention flap defined by the other of said first pair of severance lines and the other of said second pair of severance lines, said second retention flap being hingedly connected to the other of said end walls.  
   
   
       9 . A carton for enclosing a plurality of articles, comprising: 
 a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of opposed side walls hingedly connected to said top wall and to said bottom wall;    a dispenser formed in said top wall, comprising: 
 a dispensing flap that is at least partially detachable to form a restrictive opening that is for dispensing articles when said carton rests on one of said pair of side walls; and  
   an unloading flap that is at least partially detachable to form an access opening for unloading articles when said carton rests on said bottom wall.    
   
   
       10 . The carton of  claim 9 , further comprising tear initiation means formed in said top wall, said tear initiation means being positioned off center with respect to said pair of side walls; 
 wherein said tear initiation means is capable of enabling a user to grasp said dispensing flap and said unloading flap for at least partially detachment from said carton.