Beverage packaging system

Abstract

A packaging system for wine and other beverages is provided. The packaging system includes a plurality of cartons or boxes with each carton or box containing a single beverage serving and each box being formed with a dispensing element so that the beverage can be dispensed or poured from the carton or box. Also provided is a sleeve that is sized for packaging the plurality of cartons or boxes in an abutting stacked relationship with one another in order for the plurality of cartons or boxes to be marketed as a multi-pack unit. Significantly, the packaging sleeve has a side wall along which a bottle design corresponding to the wine or other beverage contained within the individual cartons or boxes is visibly displayed.

1 . A packaging system for a beverage comprising:
 a plurality of boxes, each box having an inside compartment containing said beverage with each box formed with means for selectively dispensing said beverage from said compartment;   said plurality of boxes being packaged in an abutting stacked relationship inside a sleeve;   wherein said sleeve has a side; and   wherein a bottle design corresponding to the beverage contained within said boxes is visibly displayed along said side.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve comprises a carton and wherein said bottle design is depicted on said side of said carton. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of boxes has a side wall depicting a portion of said bottle design. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said bottle design is visibly displayed in its entirety on said side walls of said boxes when said boxes are packaged in said abutting stacked relationship. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said sleeve comprises a transparent material such that said bottle design displayed on said side walls of said boxes is visible through said side of said transparent sleeve. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein each of said plurality of boxes has a side wall depicting a portion of said bottle design. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensing means comprises a spout element. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said beverage comprises wine, and wherein said bottle design comprises a wine bottle design. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each said box contains a single serving of said beverage. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said packaging sleeve includes a selectively openable top through which one or more of said plurality of boxes can be removed. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said boxes are packaged in said abutting stacked relationship in said sleeve in a single row. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve is substantially rectangular in configuration. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each said packaged box is rectangular in configuration.