WO2010014659A1

WO2010014659A1 - Carton with opening and blank therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2010014659A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/052034
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Marie
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 2008-07-31
Filing date: 2009-07-29
Publication date: 2010-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-31
Also published as: GB0814012D0

Abstract

A carton for carrying articles (B) has an opening mechanism operable for providing access (O) to the inside of the carton so that articles can be removed from the carton. The opening mechanism includes a frangible connection (70a, 68a, 64, 68b, 70b) defining a removable portion (82), a tear initiation mechanism (60) and a tear termination mechanism (76a, 76b). The tear termination mechanism is spaced from the tear initiation mechanism and disposed relative to the frangible connection such that the tear termination mechanism is deployable to complete breaking of the frangible connection. The frangible connection includes at least one guiding portion (70a, 70b) directed at an oblique angle toward and coupled to the tear termination mechanism such that when the opening mechanism is deployed by using the tear initiation mechanism, the removable portion is moveable substantially in a single direction away from the tear initiation mechanism.

Description

CARTON WITH OPENING AND BLANK THEREFOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cartons for use in packaging articles and more specifically, but not exclusively relates to a dispensing carton having features to facilitate the opening of the carton so that articles can be dispensed from the carton.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cartons are useful for allowing consumers to purchase, transport and store a desired quantity of articles such as soft drinks in cans or bottles and yoghurts or other dairy products in plastic bottled. For the convenience of the consumer, some cartons have dispensers which allow access to articles for withdrawing them one at a time while continuing to encase the remaining articles. A portion of the carton is torn out to form an opening from which articles may be dispensed.

In some known examples such as WO2002/047990 to the same applicant, the carton is pulled open by tearing across the top of the erected carton. Typically, the consumer tears along the top of the carton by inserting fingers through a tear line in order to pull open the dispenser. The carton is then torn down along each of the side walls of the erected carton to define a dispensing trough for retaining each article as it is about to be dispensed. The dispensing trough remains connected to the carton along a hinge line of perforations extending across the carton end and may be completely removed from the carton by tearing for a second time along the additional perforations.

However, when forming the opening in the carton to dispense articles from the dispenser, the perforations along the carton end can be difficult to break. Also, seams created by overlapping edges of end flaps which form the end of the carton may make removal of the trough from the carton more difficult. In either case, other panels of the carton may be torn which can lead to failure of the dispensing opening and/or tearing the carton such that the articles can roll out of the carton prematurely. In US7147143 a dispenser assist is disclosed, which is intended to assist the consumer in properly opening the carton.

The present invention seeks to provide improvements to known carton dispensers and/or mitigate the above described and other problems associated with the prior art by providing a carton having a mechanism that allows the consumer to easily open the carton.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect the invention provides, a carton for carrying articles has an opening means or mechanism operable for providing access to the inside of the carton so that articles can be removed from the carton. The opening mechanism comprises:

a frangible connection defining a removable portion of the carton, the removable portion structured and arranged such that once removed sufficient access to the inside of the carton is provided for allowing at least individual removal of articles from the carton yet at the same time the carton remains sufficiently intact that, at least some of, the articles securely are retainable until their removal is required; a tear initiation means or mechanism disposed relative to the frangible connection such that the tear initiation mechanism is deployable to initiate breaking of the frangible connection; and a tear termination means or mechanism spaced from the tear initiation mechanism and disposed relative to the frangible connection such that the tear termination mechanism is deployable to complete breaking of the frangible connection. The frangible connection comprises at least one guiding portion directed at an oblique angle toward and coupled to the tear termination mechanism such that when the opening mechanism is deployed by using the tear initiation mechanism, the removable portion is moveable substantially in a single direction away from the tear initiation mechanism and thereby a tear is caused to propagate along the frangible connection, along the at least one guiding portion and to the tear termination mechanism whereat the tear termination mechanism facilitates completion of detachment of the removable portion from the carton so that access to the inside of the carton is provided.

The at least one guiding portion of the frangible connection may be directed upwardly toward the tear termination mechanism.

The tear termination mechanism may include an extensively weakened portion formed from one of the following: a single cut, a single half cut, a series of slits or a combination of one of the forgoing with a tear line disposed adjacent thereto and substantially parallel therewith.

The tear termination mechanism may be sized relative to the width of the carton panel in which it is formed such that the tear termination mechanism has an end-to- end length of less than 20% of the width of that panel.

Preferably, the tear termination mechanism is positioned across a seam of the carton and or a portion of the carton formed of multiple plies of material.

Preferably, the tear termination mechanism is disposed at a height above the carton bottom equal to, approximately equal to or greater than half the height of the carton.

Preferably, the frangible connection comprises two guiding portions disposed on either side of the tear termination mechanism and coupled to the tear termination mechanism. Preferably, at least one guiding portion is angled toward the tear termination mechanism, and an angle between the at least one guiding portion and the bottom of the carton increases as the at least one guiding portion gets closer to the tear termination mechanism.

Preferably, the at least one guiding portion is most steeply inclined at a location immediately adjacent the tear termination mechanism.

Optionally, the at least one guiding portion is angled relative to the carton bottom at an angle between about 10 degrees and about 45 degrees.

Optionally, the opening mechanism is disposed at an end of a carton. The tear initiation mechanism may be provided in a top wall of the carton. The frangible connection may extend from the top wall into each of two side walls of the carton and may be contiguous with the guiding portions. Each guiding portion may be formed in a composite end wall of the carton.

Optionally, each guiding portion is curved and inclined and has a path length in the range about 40% to about 50% of the width of the composite end wall.

Optionally, the tear termination mechanism is disposed across a seam in the composite end wall and at a height above the bottom of the carton approximately equal to or greater than half the height of the end wall.

Optionally, a single notional plane parallel to a side wall of the carton contains the centre-point of the tear initiation mechanism and the centre-point of the tear termination mechanism such that by pulling the removable portion in a direction away from the centre-point of the tear initiation mechanism toward the centre-point of the tear termination mechanism, the removable portion is completely detachable from the carton. Optionally, the removable portion comprises adjacent portions of the top wall, two side walls and composite end walls and the remaining part of the composite end wall forms a stopper wall for retaining any remaining articles within the carton, the stopper wall being formed from a bottom end flap directly secured to each of a first side wall flap and a second side wall flap.

Optionally, the frangible connection is formed in two adjacent panels of the carton, the frangible connection extends across a folded corner between those two panels and across the folded corner the frangible connection comprises a cut or slit.

Optionally, the cut or slit has a path length in the range of about 2.5cm to about 3.5cm.

Optionally, the guiding portions of the frangible connection comprise a series of 2 - 5 full-depth cuts and the breaking of only nick portions between the full depth cuts of the series is required to break the guiding portions of the frangible connection.

Optionally, the tear initiation mechanism comprises one or a combination of a yielding panel; a weakened push tab defined in part by the frangible connection and in part by a weakened line disposed adjacent thereto and substantially parallel therewith; single cut; a single half cut; or a series of slits.

According to a second aspect the invention provides blank for forming a carton having an opening mechanism. The blank includes:

a series of hinged panels for forming the walls of the carton;

a series of frangible connections formed in panels of the blank defining a removable portion, the removable portion being formable into a composite portion of the carton structured and arranged such that once removed sufficient access to the inside of the carton is provided for allowing at least individual removal of articles from the carton yet at the same time the carton remains sufficiently intact that, at least some of, the articles securely are retainable until their removal is required;

a tear initiation mechanism disposed in one of the panels relative to the frangible connection such that the tear initiation mechanism is deployable to initiate breaking of that frangible connection; and

a tear termination mechanism disposed in another of the panels and disposed relative to the frangible connection such that the tear termination mechanism is deployable to complete the breaking of the frangible connection,

The frangible connection includes at least one guiding portion directed at an oblique angle toward the tear termination mechanism such that when the blank is formed into a carton and the opening mechanism is deployed by using the tear initiation mechanism, the removable portion is moveable substantially in a single direction away from the tear initiation mechanism and thereby a tear is caused to propagate along the frangible connection, along the at least one guiding portion and toward the tear termination mechanism whereat the removable portion is completely detached from the carton and internal access to the carton thereby provided.

Optionally the frangible connection in each side wall of the carton is curved. The guiding portions formed in the composite end wall of the carton are each curved; and wherein the frangible connection in one side wall and a contiguous guiding portion have a radius of curvature that is equal; substantially equal; or equal or substantially equal over a sector between about 20 degrees and about 45 degrees.

According to a third aspect the invention provides a carton for packaging articles having a plurality of panels for forming opposing side walls, top wall and bottom wall, which form a tubular structure and an end panel for closing the end of the tubular structure, wherein a weakened line of severance is provided in the top wall, opposing side wall and end wall for forming an access mechanism characterised in that the weakened line of severance comprises a first section in the end wall and a second section in the end wall which first and second sections extend substantially across the end wall and which first and second sections are divergent with respect to one another whereby facilitating shearing of the weakened line in the end wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a carton constructed from the blank of Fig. 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a user operating the carton of Figure 2; and

Figures 4 and 5 show the carton of Figure 2 in an opened condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

To illustrate an exemplary application of one embodiment of the invention, an opening mechanism will be described with reference to the blank 10 and enclosed carton 80 shown in Figures 1 - 5.

Figure 1 shows a blank 10 which is foldable to form a partially formed, flat carton sleeve. The partially formed flat carton sleeve or part-formed blank can be expanded or opened into an erected (three-dimensional) sleeve; loaded and closed to form a carton 80 (depicted in Figures 2-5). In this embodiment the blank 10 is formed from paperboard and is arranged such that the carton 80 formed from the blank 10 is a tubular end-loading carton suitable for containing twelve PET bottles arranged in two rows of six bottles. In other embodiments the blank 10 is modified from that shown so that it forms a carton 80 that accommodates other types of articles (such as cans), contained in a variety of configurations. Additionally, in other embodiments, the blank 10 and therefore part-formed blanks or flat carton sleeve and carton 80 are formed of other suitable foldable sheet material such as plastic or composite material such as paper-plastic composite material.

The blank 10 forms a fully enclosed end-loading type tubular carton 80 from a series of hinged panels including: top panel 16, first side panel 18, second side panel 14 and bottom panel 12. Respectively, these panels form the top, opposed side and bottom walls of the carton 80. A glue flap 20, first side panel 18, top panel 16, second side panel 14 and bottom panel 12 are hinged along respective fold lines 36, 34, 32 and 80. Hinged to each end of these main panels are first side end flaps 28a, 28b; top end flaps 26a, 26b; second side end flaps 24a, 24b and bottom end flaps 22a, 22b. As is known in the art the glue flap 20 is foldable into flat face contacting relation with and securable to the inside surface of bottom panel 12. The part-formed blank thereby formed may be transferred to a packaging plant where similar part formed blanks are supplied to a packaging assembly line where they are opened into an erected tubular form; loaded from one or both their ends and then have the aforementioned end flaps assembled and secured to close the carton 80.

In this embodiment, the first side end flap 28a; top wall end flap 26a; second side end flap 24a and bottom end flap 22a are hinged to their associated main panels by a common hinged line 38a. Similarly first side end flap 28b; top end flap 26b; second side end flap 24b and bottom end flap 22b are hinged to their associated main panels by a common hinged line 38b. Preferably, an aperture 78 is provided in one or both of the first and second side end flaps 28a, 24a so that when a composite end wall is formed by folding and securing together end flaps 28a, 26a, 24a and 22a, the lower part of that wall is strongly bonded together by means of a direct sandwich bond between the bottom end flap 22a and first and second side end flaps 28a, 24a wherein the bottom end flap 22a is bonded to the first side end flap 28a directly and to the second side end flap 24a through the aperture 78. A stronger bonding at the bottom portion of the end wall is optional but preferable because it offers the advantage that when the carton is opened and an upper part of that end wall is detached from the carton, the remaining portion of that end wall remains structurally intact and sufficiently integral that it can act as a stopper wall for retaining articles within the carton (see Figures 3- 5). Such extra-strong bonding could be employed in other carton types dependent upon the application of the opening mechanism of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, a carton 80 carrying handle 40, 40 is provided. The handle is entirely optional and in embodiments where a handle is provided, the handle 40 may take a variety of known formats. The structure of any such handle 40 is ancillary to and has no bearing on the operation of the opening mechanism of the present invention. The optional handle provided comprises a pair of spaced foldable tabs 40, 40 each including flap portions 48, 44 hinged to the top panel 16 along fold lines 50, 42 respectively and separable from each other by means of frangible connection 46. Alternatively, each foldable tab 40 includes flap portions 48, 44, wherein the flap portion 44 is hinged to the top panel 16 along a fold line 42 while the flap portion 48 is hinged to the flap portion 44 along a fold line 46. In this alternative embodiment, each foldable flap 40 may be detachable from the top panel 16 along the frangible connection 50.

Turning now to the opening mechanism of the present invention, the opening mechanism comprises a frangible connection 64, 66, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b defining a removable portion 82 of the carton 80. The removable portion 82 (see Figures 4 & 5) is structured and arranged such that once removed, sufficient access to the inside of the carton is provided, via an opening 'O' (see Figures 3 - 5), such that at least individual removal of articles 'B' from the carton 80 is enabled. At the same time, the carton remains sufficiently intact that, at least some of, the articles 'B' securely are retainable until their removal is required. Because a substantial portion of the end of the carton 80 is removed and yet retention of remaining articles 'B' is required, it is preferable that the bond between the panels forming the remaining part of the carton immediately adjacent to the removed portion 82 are reinforced or in some way strengthened (by for example an aperture 78 facilitating direct gluing of the bottom wall end flap 22a to each of the first and second side wall end flaps 24a, 28a).

In the present embodiment, the removable portion 82 is structured such that it comprises adjacent portions of the top wall 16, first and second side walls 14, 18 and composite end wall 26a, 24a, 28a. These adjacent portions are removable as a unit with an endmost article 'B' from the carton. In other embodiments the removable portion will have a variety of structures (shape and size), but will usually enable access to be gained to one or more articles 'B' contained within the carton 80.

The opening mechanism also comprises a tear initiation mechanism 60 disposed relative to the frangible connection 64, 66, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b such that the tear initiation mechanism 60 is deployable to initiate breaking of the frangible connection 64, 66, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b. By that, it is meant that the tear initiation mechanism 60 is operable, by being foldable and/or moveable and/or breakable and/or by any other means useable or employable, to provide a point of entry where a user can easily get an initial grasp of the removable portion 82 in order that the removable portion 82 can be torn away from the carton.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the tear initiation mechanism 60 comprises a moveable tab 60 defined by a cut and/or substantially weakened and/or frangible line 64 and a similar cut and/or weakened and/or frangible line (or fold line) 62 positioned or disposed adjacent thereto and substantially parallel therewith. By pressing with their fingers 'F', for example, a user can press on tab 60 (see Fig. 2). Preferably, one of the aforementioned lines 62, 64 is weaker than the other lines, and the downward pressing force applied to such a weaker line by a user causes the weaker line to break. The tab 60 is then foldable inwardly of the carton about either fold line 62 or 64 and provides a cushion. When the line 62 serves as a fold line, the tab 60 serves as a cushion to ensure that a user's hand is not damaged by the edge formed along fold line 62.

Optionally to assist the breaking of the frangible line 64, a yielding panel 52 is provided. The yielding panel 52 is defined by lines of demarcation 58a, 58b and 56. Yielding panels for this purpose are known and it is expected that the yielding panel whilst being optional, if provided, can take a variety of formats. Indeed in other embodiments the tear initiation mechanism 60 is provided in a number of alternative configurations and may comprise one or a combination of the following exemplary features: a yielding panel; a weakened push tab defined in part by the frangible connection and in part by a weakened line disposed adjacent thereto and substantially parallel therewith; single cut; a single half cut; or a series of slits.

The opening mechanism also comprises a tear termination mechanism 76a/76b spaced from the tear initiation mechanism 60 and disposed relative to the frangible connection 64, 66, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b such that the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b is deployable to complete breaking of the frangible connection 64, 66, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b. By that, it is meant that the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b is operable, by being foldable and/or moveable and/or breakable and/or by any other means useable or employable, to provide an extensively weakened point or portion in order that the removable portion 82 can be completely torn from the carton 80. Preferably the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b provides an extensively weakened portion to facilitate complete removal of the removable portion 82 in a single tearing action and so that the removable portion 82 cannot remain hinged to the carton 80.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b comprises a pair of composite (or overlapping) lines 74b/74a, 72a/72b defining a single, composite and moveable tab 76a/76b. The tab 76a/76b is defined by a cut 74b/74a, and/or substantially weakened and/or frangible line 74b/74a, and a similar cut 72b/72a, and/or substantially weakened and/or frangible line 72b/72a positioned or disposed adjacent thereto and substantially parallel therewith. Preferably one of the aforementioned lines 74b/74a is particularly weak and is formed from a full depth outline spaced only by a small connecting nick portion and coupled by a further cut or slit to the adjacent frangible connection 64, 66, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b. The other line 72a/72b is also formed from a weak connection.

The tab 76a/76b can be useable in one possible mode of operation by a user to gain additional grip of the removable portion 82 and to initiate tearing of the frangible connection 64, 66, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b in the end wall as well. In other embodiments of the invention, the tear termination mechanism is provided by one of a weakened point; an aperture; a series of slits, half-depth cuts, full - depth cuts or a combination of the aforementioned features.

The opening mechanism also comprises two guiding portions, generally indicated by reference numerals 70a, 70b of the frangible connection 64, 66, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b. The guiding portions 70a, 70b are obliquely angled, and in this embodiment directed upwardly toward and coupled to the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b such that when the opening mechanism is deployed (i.e. used or operated) by using the tear initiation mechanism 60, the removable portion 82 is moveable substantially in a single direction away from the tear initiation mechanism 60 and toward the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b. Thereby, a tear is caused to propagate along the frangible connection 66, 68a, 68b, upwardly along the guiding portion 70a, 70b and to the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b whereat the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b preferably facilitates completion of detachment of the removable portion 82 from the carton 80 so that access to the inside of the carton 80 is provided.

It can be seen from Figures 2 and 3 that a user can use their fingers to initiate the breaking of the frangible connection 64, 66, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b defining the removable portion 82 and then because of the configuration of the guiding portions 70a, 70b, can easily remove the removable portion simply by tearing and/or pulling it forward. (Configuration includes, among other features, features of geometry and/or angle and/or length and or direction and/or shape and/or structure). Then, rather than having to pull in a direction across the end of the carton 80 to finish tearing by continuing to pull the removable portion 82 forwardly and away from the end of the carton 80; the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b and/or configuration of the guide portions 70a/70b enables complete breaking of the frangible connection 64, 66, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b and complete detachment of the removable portion 82.

The configuration of the guiding portions 70a, 70b is such that the removable portion 82 cannot easily hinge about the guiding portions 70a, 70b. In this specific embodiment the guiding portions 70a, 70b are curved in an opposing fashion such that the removable portion cannot readily hinge about the remaining portion of the composite end wall and is encouraged to be completely removed. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment the upper corners of the bottom flap 26a attempt to interfere with, obstruct or otherwise prevent the curved lower portions of the removable portion 82 pivoting inwardly of the opening 'O' and this feature therefore also assists in encouraging the removable portion 82 to be completely severed from the carton 80 rather than remaining hinged thereto.

Preferably, where the tear termination mechanism comprises a composite tab 76a/76b, the tab 76a/76b is sized relative to the width of the associated carton panel or composite carton wall in which it is formed such that the composite tab 76a/76b has an end-to-end length of less than 20% of the width of that panel.

In the embodiment shown, the composite end wall comprises overlapping panels to ensure that the carton is closed. The overlapping first and second side end flaps 24a, 28a create a seam or multiply portion which can required a greater pulling force to tear through the greater thickness or greater caliper of material present at the overlap. By providing the extensively weakened tear termination mechanism 76a/76b at this point, the pulling force needed to completely detach the removable portion 82 from the carton 80 is lessened compared to that which would otherwise be needed if there was no weakened portion present. Furthermore, by directing the tear propagating from the side walls 14, 18 up toward the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b, the force applied to remove the removable portion 82 is focused at the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b. This is especially so in the present arrangement wherein two guide portions are provided and wherein such guide portions are symmetrical and evenly spaced.

Therefore, it is preferable that the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b is positioned across a seam of the carton and or a portion of the carton formed of multiple plies of material. Furthermore, it is preferable that the tear termination mechanism is aligned substantially parallel to the bottom wall 12 of the carton. This is especially so in embodiments such as that illustrated where a pair of guide portions 70a/70b are provided and the opening arrangement is symmetrical.

Furthermore, it is advantageous, though nevertheless optional, that the single pulling direction can readily be directed along a notional line between the centre-point of the tear initiation mechanism and a centre-point of the tear termination mechanism. In the present embodiment it is shown that a single notional plane parallel to the side walls 14, 18 of the carton 80 contains the centre-point of the tear initiation mechanism 60 and the centre-point of the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b. By pulling the removable portion in a direction away from the centre-point of the tear initiation mechanism toward the centre-point of the tear termination mechanism, the removable portion is completely detachable from the carton.

Preferably, the tear termination mechanism is disposed at a height above the carton bottom wall 12 that is equal to, approximately equal to or greater than half the height of the carton. The height of the carton being the distance between the bottom wall 12 and top wall 16. It is also desirable that the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b/74a/74b/72a/72b is located at an elevation above the bottom wall 12 that is higher than the elevation above the bottom wall of the intersection of guiding portions 70a, 70b with the corner portion between the respective first or second side wall 18, 14 and the composite end wall.

The guiding portions 70a, 70b shown comprise a number of optional features. Preferably, at least one of the guiding portions 70a, 70b is directed upwardly toward the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b. Preferably, at least one of the guiding portions 70a, 70b is angled with respect to the bottom wall 12 toward the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b. Optionally, the angle of at least one of the guiding portions 76a, 76b with respect to the bottom wall 12 increases as that guiding portion gets closer to the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b. In such an embodiment, the at least one guiding portion 70a/70b is most steeply angled or inclined at a location immediately adjacent the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b. Preferably, at least one of the guiding portions 70a, 70b is angled relative to the carton bottom wall 12 at an angle between about ten (10) degrees and about eighty (80) degrees. More preferably, the at least one of the guiding portions 70a, 70b may be angled relative to the bottom wall 12 at an angle between about ten (10) degrees and about forty five (45) degrees. In either of the above preferred embodiments, the angle may vary along the path of the at least one guiding portion 70a, 70b. Where the range of the angle includes that over 50 degrees and the angle of the at least one guiding portion varies along the path of the at least one guiding portion, the angle at its steepest degree may be between fifty (50) degrees and eighty (80) degrees.

In other embodiments, there is only one guiding portion, and the removable portion 82 has a different shape from that shown in the illustrated embodiment. For example, in one alternative embodiment, the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b is formed at an edge of a carton and only one guiding portion is provided. In such an embodiment, the tear initiation mechanism 60 may optionally be disposed on an edge of the carton, centrally of a carton panel, or on an edge of the carton opposite to the edge where the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b is formed. If a similar carton 80 to that shown in the drawings is taken to illustrate these examples, the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b may be formed on the left-hand edge of the carton, at the left-hand edge of second side wall end flap 24a along fold line 38a. The tear initiation mechanism 60 may be formed in the top panel 16 at the left-hand edge 32, or anywhere along the top panel 16 or at the right hand edge 34.

In the arrangement where the tear initiation mechanism 60 is formed at the right hand edge 34 and the tear termination mechanism 76a/76b is formed at the left-hand edge of the second side wall end flap 24a along fold line 38a, then the removable portion 82 would be moveable substantially in a single direction along a notional line between the tear initiation mechanism and the tear termination mechanism.

A further optional and advantageous feature of the guiding portions 70a, 70b is that they are curved and inclined and have a path length in the range about 40% to about 55% of the width of the composite end wall. That is to say the overall length (in contrast to the straight line end-to-end length) is preferably though not exclusively, in the range about 40% to about 55% of the width between the first side wall 14 and second side wall 18.

In the present embodiment, the frangible connection 64, 66, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b is formed in two adjacent panels of the carton 80; the first side wall panel 18 and end wall 28a. As the frangible connection 64, 66, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b extends across the folded corner 38a between those two panels 18, 28a, the frangible connection comprises a cut or slit. This can best be seen in Figure 1 where a slit contiguous with guide portion 70a and frangible connection 68a extends over the fold line 38a. By providing a cut across the folded corner, the removable portion 82 is made easier to remove. This feature can be applied to other carton features that present a "tough spot" and it is envisaged that utilizing a cut or other extensively weakened portion (such as a tear termination mechanism) could be employed to overcome tough spots in other carton structures where the opening mechanism of the present invention is applied. Preferably, when such a cut or slit is used, the cut or slit has a path length in the range of about 2.5 cm to about 3.5 cm.

A further optional advantage of the present invention is that the guiding portions 70a, 70b of the frangible connection 64, 66, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b comprise a series of 3 full- depth cuts the path length of which decreases as the guide portions 70a/70b approach the tear initiation mechanism 76a/76b. In this way, only breaking of three (3) nick portions between the full depth cuts of the series in first or second side end flap 28a, 24a is required to break the guiding portion 70a/70b and separate the removable portion 82 from the remaining carton 80. It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and removable portion may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape. In other embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that more than one tear termination mechanism or tear initiation mechanism may be utilized and likewise greater or fewer guide portions included.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a short slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A carton for carrying articles, the carton having an opening mechanism operable for providing access to the inside of the carton so that articles can be removed from the carton, the opening mechanism comprising:

a frangible connection defining a removable portion of the carton, the removable portion structured and arranged such that once removed sufficient access to the inside of the carton is provided for allowing at least individual removal of articles from the carton yet at the same time the carton remains sufficiently intact that at least some of the articles securely are retainable until their removal is required; a tear initiation mechanism disposed relative to the frangible connection such that the tear initiation mechanism is deployable to initiate breaking of the frangible connection; and a tear termination mechanism spaced from the tear initiation mechanism and disposed relative to the frangible connection such that the tear termination mechanism is deployable to complete breaking of the frangible connection, the frangible connection comprising at least one guiding portion directed at an oblique angle with respect to a carton bottom, toward and coupled to the tear termination mechanism such that when the opening mechanism is deployed by using the tear initiation mechanism, the removable portion is moveable substantially in a single direction away from the tear initiation mechanism and thereby a tear is caused to propagate along the frangible connection, along the at least one guiding portion and to the tear termination mechanism whereat the tear termination mechanism facilitates completion of detachment of the removable portion from the carton so that access to the inside of the carton is provided.

2. A carton according to claim 1 wherein the at least one guiding portion of the frangible connection is directed upwardly toward the tear termination mechanism.

3. A carton according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the tear termination mechanism comprises an extensively weakened portion formed from one selected from the group consisting of a single cut, a single half cut, a series of slits and a combination of one of the forgoing with a tear line disposed adjacent thereto and substantially parallel therewith.

4. A carton according to any preceding claim wherein the tear termination mechanism is sized relative to the width of the carton panel in which it is formed such that the tear termination mechanism has an end-to-end length of less than twenty percent of the width of the carton panel.

5. A carton according to any preceding claim wherein the tear termination mechanism is positioned across a seam of the carton and or a portion of the carton formed of multiple plies of material.

6. A carton according to any preceding claim wherein the tear termination mechanism is disposed at a height above the carton bottom equal to, approximately equal to or greater than half the height of the carton.

7. A carton according to any preceding claim wherein the frangible connection comprises two guiding portions disposed either side of and coupled to the tear termination mechanism.

8. A carton according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one guiding portion is angled toward the tear termination mechanism and wherein an angle between the at least one guiding portion and the carton bottom increases as the at least one guiding portion gets closer to the tear termination mechanism.

9. A carton according to claim 8 wherein the at least one guiding portion is angled relative to the carton bottom at an angle between about ten degrees and about eighty degrees.

10. A carton according to claim 7, wherein the opening mechanism is disposed at an end of a carton, the tear initiation mechanism is provided in a top wall of the carton, the frangible connection extends from the top wall into each of two side walls of the carton and is contiguous with the guiding portions, each of the guiding portions being formed in a composite end wall of the carton.

1 1. A carton according to claim 10 wherein each of the guiding portions is curved and inclined and has a path length in the range about forty percent to about fifty five percent of the width of the composite end wall.

12. A carton according to claim 1 1 wherein a single notional plane parallel to a side wall of the carton contains the centre-point of the tear initiation mechanism and the centre-point of the tear termination mechanism.

13. A carton according to any preceding claim wherein the frangible connection is formed in two adjacent panels of the carton, the frangible connection extends across a folded corner between those two panels and the frangible connection comprises a cut or slit across the folded corner.

14. A carton according to claim 1 wherein the guiding portions of the frangible connection comprise a series of full-depth cuts and the breaking of only nick portions between the full depth cuts of the series is required to break the guiding portions of the frangible connection.

15. A carton according to any preceding claim wherein the tear initiation mechanism comprises one or a combination of a yielding panel; a weakened push tab defined in part by the frangible connection and in part by a weakened line disposed adjacent thereto and substantially parallel therewith; single cut; a single half cut; or a series of slits.

16. A carton according to any of claims 10 to 12 wherein the composite end wall comprises first and second side end flaps hingedly connected to the side walls respectively and bottom end flap hingedly connected to the carton bottom, and an aperture is provided in at least one of the first and second side end flaps so that when a composite end wall is formed by securing together the bottom and side end flaps, the bottom end flap is bonded to the at least one of the first and second side end flaps directly and to the other of the first and second side end flaps through the aperture.

17. A blank for forming a carton having an opening mechanism, the blank comprising: a series of hinged panels for forming the walls of the carton; a series of frangible connections formed in panels of the blank defining a removable portion, the removable portion being formable into a composite portion of the carton structured and arranged such that once removed sufficient access to the inside of the carton is provided for allowing at least individual removal of articles from the carton yet at the same time the carton remains sufficiently intact that, at least some of, the articles securely are retainable until their removal is required; a tear initiation mechanism disposed in one of the panels relative to the frangible connection such that the tear initiation mechanism is deployable to initiate breaking of that frangible connection; and a tear termination mechanism disposed in another of the panels and disposed relative to the frangible connection such that the tear termination mechanism is deployable to complete the breaking of the frangible connection, the frangible connection comprising at least one guiding portion directed at an oblique angle toward the tear termination mechanism such that when the blank is formed into a carton and the opening mechanism is deployed by using the tear initiation mechanism, the removable portion is moveable substantially in a single direction away from the tear initiation mechanism and thereby a tear is caused to propagate along the frangible connection, along the at least one guiding portion and toward the tear termination mechanism whereat the removable portion is completely detached from the carton and internal access to the carton thereby provided.

18. A blank for forming a carton according to any of claims 10 to 12 wherein the frangible connection in each side wall of the carton is curved; wherein the at least one guiding portions formed in the composite end wall of the carton are each curved; and wherein the frangible connection in one side wall and a contiguous guiding portion have a radius of curvature that is equal; substantially equal; or equal or substantially equal over a sector between about 20 degrees and about 45 degrees.

19. A blank or part-formed blank for forming a carton according to any of claims 1 to 16.

20. A package comprising a plurality of articles and a carton according to any of claims 1 to 16.