Package with modules

Abstract

A package ( 100 ) includes modules ( 110 ) that are connected to one another. The modules ( 110 ) can be alternatively arranged for different purposes such as shipping or display and can be secured in an arrangement. The modules ( 11 ) can include reinforced walls ( 116 ) and corners (C) that provide the package ( 100 ) with a structure that can support a load such as when packages ( 100 ) are stacked on top of one another.

1 . A package, comprising:
 at least a first module group and a second module group, each module group comprising at least one module;   connecting means for hingedly connecting the first module group and the second module group to one another such that the package is configured to be convertible from a first arrangement into a second arrangement; and   securing means for releasably securing the package in the first arrangement.   
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein a first wall of a module in the first module group and a first wall of a module in the second module group are configured to be in a face contacting relationship with one another in the first arrangement. 
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the first wall of the module in the first module group and the first wall of the module in the second module group are configured to be substantially coplanar with one another in the second arrangement. 
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one module comprises a reinforced wall. 
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforced wall comprises overlapping panels. 
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein an outer wall of the package comprises the reinforced wall when the package is in the first arrangement. 
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one module comprises a reinforced corner. 
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 7 , wherein the reinforced corner comprises overlapping panels. 
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 7 , wherein a corner of the package comprises the reinforced corner when the package is in the first arrangement. 
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting means comprises an interior connecting panel comprising a first portion and a second portion that are hingedly connected to one another. 
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to be in a face contacting arrangement with one another when the package is in the first arrangement. 
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting means is one of a strip, sticker, tape, and panel. 
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the securing means is one of a strap, sticker, tape, severance line, tear strip, hook and loop fastener, stretch wrap, shrink wrap, paper wrap, plastic wrap, plastic film, and band. 
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one module comprises a dispenser. 
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the dispenser is configured to be at least partially hidden when the package is in the first arrangement. 
   
   
       16 . A package, comprising:
 at least two interconnected modules, at least one of the at least two interconnected modules comprising at least one reinforced wall, an outer wall of the package comprising the reinforced wall.   
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein the reinforced wall comprises overlapping panels. 
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein the outer wall of the package is a vertical wall. 
   
   
       19 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein each of the interconnected modules comprises at least one reinforced wall. 
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein opposed outer walls of the package are at least partially reinforced. 
   
   
       21 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein each of vertical outer walls of the package is at least partially reinforced. 
   
   
       22 . A carton, comprising:
 a tubular structure;   an end closure structure closing an open end of the tubular structure, the end closure structure comprising:
 an underlying layer comprising a first end flap, a first severance line extending across the first end flap; 
 an overlapping layer comprising a second end flap that is secured to the outside surface of the underlying layer, a second severance line extending across the second end flap, the second severance line aligning with a segment of the first severance line; 
 wherein the first severance line is at least partially exposed. 
   
   
   
       23 . The carton of  claim 22 , wherein the end closure structure is configured such that breaking the second severance line is achieved by first breaking the first severance line.