ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT CARTON

Abstract

The present invention provides a dispenser for storing and dispensing a stack of sheet material, such as a stack of folded tissue sheets and more particularly a folded stack of facial tissue sheets. The height of the dispenser, particularly the dispensing height of the dispenser, may be adjusted by the user once a portion of the sheets have been dispensed to alleviate one or more problems often associated with dispensing, such as the incidence of dispensing failures due to fall-back. The dispenser includes a bottom panel that is movable from a first position to a second position where the second position places a portion of the bottom panel closer to a dispensing opening disposed opposite the bottom panel.

Claims

1. A dispenser for storing and dispensing a stack of sheet material comprising: a. a dispensing opening; b. a bottom panel disposed opposite the dispensing opening; c. a first and a second side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel and separated therefrom by first and second fold lines; d. first and second spaced apart lines of weakness disposed at least partially on the bottom panel and the first side panel and extending across the first fold line; and e. third and fourth spaced apart lines of weakness disposed at least partially on the bottom panel and the second side panel and extending across the second fold line; wherein upon breaking of the lines of weakness a portion of the bottom panel is moveable from a first to a second position.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the dispenser has an initial dispensing height when the portion of the bottom panel is in a first position and a second dispensing height when the bottom panel portion is in a second position.

3. The dispenser of claim 2 wherein the second dispensing height is from about 10 to about 70% of the initial dispensing height.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the bottom panel has a longitudinal length dimension and the first and the second lines of weakness are spaced apart from one another from about 20 to about 90% of the longitudinal length dimension.

5. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first and second lines of weakness are parallel to one another and extend along a portion of the bottom panel substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length dimension of the panel.

6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first and second lines of weakness extending at least partially along the first side panel have a first segment that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length dimension of the panel and a second segment that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal length dimension of the panel.

7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the first and second segments are joined by a third segment that is curvilinear.

8. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a top panel, the top panel having the dispensing opening disposed thereon.

9. The dispenser of claim 6 further comprising a dispensing window and dispensing slit disposed on the dispensing window, the dispensing window attached to the top panel and at least partially covering the dispensing opening.

10. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a stack of interfolded facial tissue sheets disposed within the dispenser.

11. A dispenser for a stack of folded sheet material comprising: a. a top panel and a dispensing opening disposed thereon; b. a pair of opposed end panels; c. a pair of opposed side panels; d. a bottom panel foldably connected to the pair of opposed side panels and separated therefrom by first and second fold lines; e. first and second spaced apart lines of weakness disposed at least partially on the bottom panel and a first side panel and extending across the first fold line; f. third and fourth spaced apart lines of weakness disposed at least partially on the bottom panel and a second side panel and extending across the second fold line; and g. a stack of interfolded facial tissue sheets disposed within the dispenser; wherein upon breaking of the lines of weakness a portion of the bottom panel is movable from a first position to a second position.

12. The dispenser of claim 11 wherein the dispenser has an initial dispensing height when the portion of the bottom panel is in a first position and a second dispensing height when the bottom panel portion is in a second position and wherein the second dispensing height is from about 10 to about 70% of the initial dispensing height.

13. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the bottom panel has a longitudinal length dimension and the first and the second lines of weakness are spaced apart from one another from about 20 to about 90% of the longitudinal length dimension.

14. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first and second lines of weakness are parallel to one another and extend along a portion of the bottom panel substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length dimension of the panel.

15. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first and second lines of weakness extending at least partially along the first side panel have a first segment that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length dimension of the panel and a second segment that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal length dimension of the panel.

16. A blank for forming a dispenser comprising: a. a first side panel having first and second spaced apart lines of weakness disposed thereon; b. a second side panel having first and second spaced apart lines of weakness disposed thereon; c. a bottom panel foldably connected to the first and second side panels and having a first and second pair of spaced apart lines of weakness disposed thereon, the first pair of spaced apart lines of weakness coextensive with the first and second spaced apart lines of weakness disposed on the first side panel and the second pair of spaced apart lines of weakness coextensive with the first and second spaced apart lines of weakness disposed on the second side panel; and d. a top panel having a dispensing opening disposed thereon.

17. The blank of claim 16 further comprising: a. a pair of minor flaps foldably connected to the first side panel; b. a pair of minor flaps foldably connected to the second side panel; c. a pair of major flaps foldably connected to the bottom panel; and d. a pair of major flaps foldably connected to the top panel.

18. The blank of claim 16 further comprising: a. a first score line disposed between the first pair of spaced apart lines of weakness; b. a second score line disposed between the second pair of spaced apart lines of weakness; c. a third score line disposed between the first and second spaced apart lines of weakness disposed on the first side panel; and d. a fourth score line disposed between the first and second spaced apart lines of weakness disposed on the second side panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The above aspects and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a dispenser in a first configuration;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a dispenser in second configuration;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a dispenser in second configuration;

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a dispenser in second configuration;

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of a dispenser in a second configuration; and

[0019] FIG. 6 is a plan view of one embodiment of a blank useful in forming a dispenser of the present invention.

[0020] Repeated use of reference characters in the specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

Definitions

[0021] As used herein, moveable portion generally refers to a portion of the dispenser, such as one or more dispenser panels, that is moveable by a user from a first position to a second position. Generally, dispensers of the present invention have a movable portion formed from at least a portion of at least two adjacent dispenser panels, such as a first side panel and an adjacent bottom panel. In particularly preferred embodiments a movable portion is defined by one or more lines of weakness, which are broken by a user to release a portion of a dispenser panel that may then be moved from a first position to a second position by the user.

[0022] As used herein, sheet material generally refers to a flexible substrate, which may be useful for household chores, cleaning, personal care, health care, food wrapping, and cosmetic application or removal. Non-limiting examples of suitable substrates for use with the dispenser include nonwoven substrates; woven substrates; hydro-entangled substrates; air-entangled substrates; paper substrates comprising cellulose such as tissue paper, toilet paper, or paper towels; waxed paper substrates; coform substrates comprising cellulose fibers and polymer fibers; wet substrates such as wet wipes, moist cleaning wipes, moist toilet paper wipes, and baby wipes; film or plastic substrates such as those used to wrap food; shop towels; and metal substrates such as aluminum foil. Furthermore, laminated or plied together substrates of two or more layers of any of the preceding substrates are also suitable.

[0023] As used herein, dispensing height generally refers to the distance between the top panel and the upper most portion of the bottom panel. In certain instances, a dispenser of the present invention may have an initial dispensing height which is substantially equal to the height of the dispenser in its initial, unperturbed, state. The dispensing height may thereafter be reduced by reconfiguring the dispenser such that a portion of the bottom panel is moved from a first, initial, position to a second position.

[0024] As used herein, line of weakness generally refers to any region or area of weakened material, preferably having a length but not necessarily a defined width, that facilitates separating portions of the substrate from one another or that indicates optimal separation locations. A line of weakness can include linear and non-linear patterns, such as curvilinear patterns of weakness. A line of weakness includes a perforation or other series of cuts, a thinning or breakage or separation of material, or a strip of a different kind of material bridging between adjacent portions of material that is more easily torn or broken than the adjacent portions, and which allows the user to separate the adjacent portions along the line of weakness. A line of weakness can further include a single extended slit or cut.

[0025] As used herein, fold line generally refers to all manner of lines that define hinge features of the blank or folded carton and facilitate folding portions of the blank or carton with respect to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal panel folding locations for the blank or carton. A fold line may be formed from a crease, a scored line, an embossed line, or a debossed line.

[0026] As used herein, terms such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, front, back, end and sides are referenced according to the views presented. It should be understood, however, that the terms are used only for purposes of description and are not intended to be used as limitations. Accordingly, orientation of an object or a combination of objects may change without departing from the scope of the invention. As a point of reference for the claims and in the present specification, the term top refers to a panel or side of the package with an opening device or opening.

[0027] As used herein, opening generally refers to a removed or otherwise cut-away portion of the dispenser which allows access to the articles contained within the interior volume and allows for the articles to be removed therefrom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary construction.

[0029] Generally, the present invention provides a dispenser for storing and dispensing a stack of sheet material, such as a stack of folded tissue sheets and more particularly a folded stack of facial tissue sheets. The height of the dispenser, particularly the dispensing height of the dispenser, may be adjusted by the user once a portion of the sheets have been dispensed to alleviate one or more problems often associated with dispensing, such as the incidence of dispensing failures due to fall-back, Adjusting the dispensing height is generally achieved by providing a the dispenser with a bottom panel that is movable from a first position to a second position. Generally, the second position places a portion of the bottom panel closer to a dispensing opening that has been disposed on the panel of the dispenser opposite of the bottom panel. In this manner the sheet material, which generally rests on the bottom panel, is moved closer to the dispensing opening and the dispensing height is reduced.

[0030] Accordingly, the dispensers of the present invention generally comprise a bottom panel and more particularly a bottom panel in folded communication with a pair of side panels. The dispenser bottom and side panels can be any shape or size that will accommodate movement of the bottom panel between a first and second position. Further, any suitable shape can be used so long as the function of the dispenser is maintained. Suitable shapes can include triangular, square, rectangular, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, oval, circular, star shaped or fluted. The overall size of the dispenser and the shape of the side panels can be designed as needed to properly dispense the sheet material placed within the dispenser. The size and shape of the dispenser can be influenced by the size of the sheet material being dispensed, how the sheets are folded prior to placement in the dispenser, the number of sheets placed into the dispenser, the orientation of the stack and configuration of the stack within the dispenser, and the characteristics of the material being dispensed. Often more than one acceptable shape will work to properly dispense the sheet material.

[0031] In certain instances, it may be desirable to provide a carton of sufficient size to facilitate reliable dispensing of sheet material disposed therein. For example, the carton and stack of sheet material disposed therein may be configured such that distance between the upper most sheet in the stack and the top panel of the carton is initially from about 0 to about 5.0 cm. As sheets are dispensed from the carton, the carton may be reconfigured by moving the bottom panel from a first, initial position, to a second position such that the distance between the upper most sheet in the stack and the top panel of the carton is from about 0 to about 5.0 cm. In this manner the optimal distance between the top panel and the upper most sheet in the stack may be maintained even after a portion of the sheets have been dispensed.

[0032] In certain preferred embodiments the dispenser comprises a bottom panel and oppositely disposed top panel where the panels are rectangular and have a width from about 10 to about 15 cm. The top and bottom are joined by opposing side panels, which may have a height of from about 7 to about 15 cm. Such a size is useful for dispensing standard size facial tissue sheets in a flat carton when folded into a stack and placed within the dispenser. Generally, in its folded configuration and with the bottom panel in a first position, the dispenser is substantially rectangular. The initial dispensing height is from about 5 to about 15 cm, such as from about 7 to about 12 cm. When the bottom panel is reconfigured by moving it to a second position, the initial dispensing height is preferably reduced by at least about 10%, more preferably at least about 20%, more preferably at least about 30%, such as from about 10 to about 70%, such as from about 20 to about 60%. In this manner the carton may have an initial dispensing height of about 11 cm and a second dispensing height of about 5 cm after the carton has been reconfigured.

[0033] In another embodiment, the top panel and bottom panel comprised squares having a width dimension of about 11 cm and length dimension of about 11 cm. The bottom and side panels are joined by a pair of side panels having a height of about 12 cm. Such a size is useful for dispensing standard size facial tissue sheets in an upright carton when folded into a stack and placed within the dispenser. The tissue or sheet material can be folded into quarter sheet size by folding once in half and then folding once more in half again. The quarter sheet size tissues can be interleaved to provide pop-up dispensing. Such is believed to hold more tissues than a standard upright dispenser where the stack is folded into a U shape since interior volume is more efficiently filled with less wasted space. The initial height of the foregoing dispenser may have an initial dispensing height of about 12 cm and a second dispensing height of about 6 cm once the user has moved the bottom panel to its second position.

[0034] Regardless of the shape and size of the dispenser, it is generally preferred that the dispensing height is reduced by movement of a moveable portion from an initial, first, position to a second position and the reduction in height is at least about 10%, more preferably at least about 20%, more preferably at least about 30%, such as from about 10 to about 70%, such as from about 20 to about 60%. For example, a dispenser may be provided with an initial dispensing height ranging from about 5 to about 12 cm and upon reconfiguration of the dispenser by moving a portion of the bottom panel to a second position the dispensing height may range from about 2.5 to about 6 cm.

[0035] The dispenser of the present invention may be used to dispense dry or wet sheet material. In one embodiment, the dispenser is provided with an interior volume for receiving and storing a stack of folded tissue sheets. The folded stack can be folded to provide either reach-in or pop-up dispensing of the sheet material that, in one embodiment, comprises pop-up dispensing for multiple facial tissue sheets. In another embodiment, the dispenser housed a folded stack of tissue sheets and was a reach-in dispenser where the sheet material did not pop-up. The stack may comprise an upper most sheet, which may be dispensed from the dispenser through a dispensing opening, and a bottom most sheet. The bottom most sheet, generally rests upon, and is supported by, a portion of the dispenser bottom panel. Generally, the bottom most sheet in the stack remains in contact with at least a portion of the bottom panel regardless of whether the carton is in a first, initial, configuration or has been reconfigured by the user to second configuration.

[0036] Referring now to the figures one embodiment of a dispenser for sheet material according to the present invention is illustrated. The dispenser 10 may comprise a top panel 20, a bottom panel 30, opposed first and second end panels 40, 42 and opposed first 50 and second 52 side panels. The panels 20, 30, 40, 42, 50, 52 form a parallelepiped having a generally cubic shape that may be configured to receive, store, and dispense a stack of facial tissue sheets. The shape of the side panels or the overall dispenser, however, is not critical so long as a line of weakness may be disposed along at least two continuous panels to facilitate at least a portion of the bottom panel to be moveable between a first and a second position.

[0037] In certain embodiments the dispenser 10 may be provided with a dispensing opening 22, which may be disposed on the top panel 20. If desired, a dispensing window 24 with a slit 26 disposed thereon may be provided to cover at least a portion of the dispensing opening 22. The dispensing window can be made of plastic, film, paper, nonwovens, or other flexible substrate that assists in holding the exposed sheet in place. The shape and dimensions of the slit may be any one of a number of well-known shapes or sizes. Preferably the slit is shaped and sized to facilitate pop-up dispensing of a sheet material stored within the dispenser.

[0038] If the dispenser is used to dispense wet sheet material, an appropriate cover or cap can be used to close the dispensing opening to prevent the substrate from drying out. For example, a flexible cover having a suitable pressure sensitive adhesive can be used. Alternatively, a rigid flip-type cover or cap can be attached to the dispenser. Alternative covers for retaining moisture while dispensing sheet materials are readily known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0039] With particularly reference to FIG. 1, a dispenser 10 for storing and dispensing a stack of sheet material is illustrated in a first, initial, configuration with the bottom panel 30 entirely intact and in a first position. Generally, the sheet material stored within the dispenser is dispensed through a dispensing opening disposed on the top panel opposite the bottom panel. The bottom panel 30 is foldably connected to a first side panel 50 and a second side panel 52 (not shown in FIG. 1). The bottom panel 30 and first and second side panels 50, 52 are separated from one another by a first fold line 31 and a second fold line 33 that extend along the length of the bottom panel 30 in the longitudinal dimension.

[0040] In the non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the bottom panel 30 is provided with lines of weakness arranged in a pairwise fashion and consisting of a first paired lines of weakness 32, 34 and a second paired lines of weakness 36, 38. The lines of weakness disposed on the bottom panel 30 and forming a given pair, 32, 34 and 36, 38, are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal dimension of the dispenser and arranged generally parallel to one another and to the dispenser side edges 35, 37. The lines of weakness 32, 34, 36, 38 extend from an inboard position, which may be longitudinally extending score lines 61a, 61b, to the folded edges 31, 33 separating the bottom panel 30 from the first and second side panels 50, 52, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 1 a first paired lines of weakness 32, 34 may continue from the bottom panel 30 across the folded edge 31 and onto a portion of the first side panel 50.

[0041] Accordingly, in certain embodiments the dispenser comprises first spaced apart lines of weakness disposed at least partially on the bottom panel and the first side panel and extending across the first folded edge and second spaced apart lines of weakness disposed at least partially on the bottom panel 30 and the second side panel and extending across the second folded edge. In certain instances, the bottom panel may have a longitudinal length dimension and the first and second lines of weakness forming a given pair may be spaced apart from one another from about 20 to about 90% of the longitudinal length of the dispenser. In still other instances the first and second lines of weakness forming a given pair are disposed on the bottom substantially parallel to one another and extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length dimension of the dispenser from an inboard position to a fold line separating the bottom and side panel. Regardless of the arrangement and shape of the lines weakness, they are generally configured such that upon breaking of the lines of weakness a portion of a dispenser panel, such as a dispenser bottom panel, is moveable from a first to a second position.

[0042] With further reference to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a given pair of lines of weakness, such as pair 32, 34, may extend partially along the side panel 50 and comprise a substantially vertical segment 43 and a substantially horizontal segment 44. The two segments 43, 44 may be joined by a third curvilinear segment 45 that acts as a transition therebetween the first and second segments 43, 44 such that a given line of weakness extends substantially continuously from the folded edge 31 to its terminus 46 along the side panel 50.

[0043] The terminal ends of the lines of weakness are generally spaced part from one another and provide for a portion of unweakened side panel there between. For example, with reference to FIG. 1, the terminal ends 46, 48 of the first paired lines of weakness 32, 34 are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal dimension of the dispenser. A score mark 62a may be disposed between the terminal ends 46, 48 to facilitate folding of the movable portion by the user when the first paired lines of weakness 32, 34 are broken and the dispenser is reconfigured.

[0044] In a particularly preferred embodiment, such as that illustrated in FIG. 1, the lines of weakness 32, 34 and 36, 38 are arranged such that there is a central rib 60 that remains intact once the first 32, 34 and second 36, 38 lines of weakness are broken and a portion of the bottom panel 30 is moved by the user. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 2, when the user breaks the lines of weakness 32, 34 and 36, 38 and folds a portion of the bottom panel 30 along the longitudinally extending score lines 61a, 61b the liberated potion of the bottom panel 65 is moved to a second position while the rib 60 remains intact.

[0045] The intact central rib 60 is shown in detail in FIG. 2, which illustrates a dispenser with the lines of weakness broken and a portion of the bottom panel 30 moved from a first to a second position by folding a portion of the panel 30 along first and second fold lines 47, 49. In this configuration, the bottom of the dispenser lies in two different planesa first plane 80 defined by the surface of the central rib 60 and a second plane 82 defined by the reconfigured portion of the bottom panel 65.

[0046] Breaking of the lines of weakness and folding of a portion of the bottom panel enables the dispensing height to be adjusted from a first, initial, dispensing height to a second dispensing height. In this manner the dispensing height may be adjusted by a user depending on the amount of sheet material remaining in the dispenser. By reducing the overall height of the dispenser, improved sheet dispensing can be achieved by reducing or eliminating sheets from falling back into the interior of the dispenser. The improvement is believed to occur since a shorter distance between the stack of folded sheets and the dispensing opening increases the likelihood that the dispensed sheet will remain in frictional contact with the following sheet long enough to pull the following sheet partially through the dispensing opening.

[0047] Additional advantages for a dispenser having an adjustable height include: signaling a person the dispenser is nearing depletion because the dispenser is adjusted to a second position, providing for a dispenser that can be provided in different configurations without changing the overall footprint of the dispenser, an aesthetic advantage by providing a dispenser having two distinct appearances depending on the dispensing height, or reducing the empty/depleted look of the dispenser for reach-in dispensing as the sheet material is removed.

[0048] The dispenser 10 is initially provided in a first configuration having a dispensing height (H.sub.1) approximately equal to the height of the side panel 50. The dispenser height is adjusted from the initial dispensing height (H.sub.1) to the final dispensing height (H.sub.2) by breaking first 32, 34 and second 36, 38 lines of weakness and folding a portion of the panel 30 along first and second fold lines 47, 49. In this manner the second dispensing height (H.sub.2) is less than the initial dispensing height (H.sub.1) and the internal volume of the dispenser is reduced. The user may reconfigure the dispenser from a first configuration to a second configuration having a reduced dispensing height when approximately half of the sheets are dispensed thereby reducing the dispensing height by approximately one-half.

[0049] The initial dispensing height (H.sub.1) can be any size needed based upon the necessary capacity of the dispenser for the number of sheets desired and the volume required based on the sheet's thickness and the way the sheets are folded. In some embodiments, the dispenser can have an initial dispensing height (H.sub.1) between about 5 to about 30 cm, such as from about 5 to about 15 cm. The final dispensing height (H.sub.2) will depend on the dimension of the dispenser bottom and side panels and the length of the line of weakness extending along a portion thereof. In some embodiments, the dispenser may be configured to have final dispensing height (H.sub.2) between about 2 and 20 cm, such as from about 2 to about 10 cm.

[0050] For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser of the present invention in a first configuration and having an initial dispensing height (H.sub.1) while FIGS. 5A and 5B show the dispenser of FIG. 1 reconfigured in a second configuration and having a final dispensing height (H.sub.2), where final dispensing height (H.sub.2) is less than the initial dispensing height (H.sub.1). With particular reference to FIG. 5B, the stack of sheet material 90 disposed in the carton may rest upon the now elevated portion 65a, 65b of the carton bottom bringing the sheets closer in proximity to the dispensing opening 22. Further, when converted into a second configuration by a user folding along fold lines 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b and 63a, 63b, a portion of the dispenser sidewall 64a, 64b is moved inward creating a T-shaped cross-section along a portion of the dispenser. The central rib 60 remains and lies in the original plane of the dispenser bottom, while the now elevated portion 65a, 65b lies above the rib 60 and supports the stack of sheet material 100.

[0051] With reference now to FIG. 6, one embodiment of a blank 100 useful in forming a dispenser of the present invention is illustrated. The blank 100 includes a dispensing opening 103, which can be any size or shape, such as square, circular, or oval. The dispensing opening 103 optionally includes a removable surfboard 105. The removable surfboard can be used to prevent foreign materials from entering the assembled container and provides protection for the more fragile dispensing window during loading and shipping. As further illustrated in FIG. 6 the surfboard 103 may also comprise a finger tab 101 to facilitate removal by a user.

[0052] Beneath the removable surfboard there may be a dispensing widow that may be pre-attached to the carton blank. The dispensing window can be made from suitable sheet materials such as a film, nonwoven, or paper material that can retain a partially a dispensed sheet, such as a facial tissue, within the dispensing opening for pop-up dispensing. Alternatively, the dispensing window can be eliminated and fingers or tabs projecting into the dispensing opening can be used to retain a partially dispensed sheet.

[0053] With further reference to FIG. 6 the blank 100 has a first panel 102 and first and second major flaps extending therefrom. Blank 100 further includes a second panel 104 connected to first panel 102 and separated therefrom by a fold line, the second panel 104 having first and second minor flaps extending therefrom. The blank 100 further includes a third panel 108 connected to second panel 104 and separated therefrom by a fold line 105 and third and fourth major flaps extending therefrom. The third panel 108 is connected to a fourth panel 106 and separated therefrom by a fold line 107 and third and fourth minor flaps extending therefrom.

[0054] Finally, the blank 100 includes a tab 110 connected to the first panel 102. Tab 110 is utilized to secure the fourth panel 106 to the first panel 102 in constructing a carton that can be made from the blank 100. Alternatively, the tab may be disposed on the fourth panel and used to secure the fourth panel to the first panel when the blank is folded to form a carton according to the present invention.

[0055] The carton blank 100 further comprises a movable portion defined, in-part by paired lines of weakness 112, 114 and 116, 118 disposed on the third panel 108 and extending along a portion of the second and fourth panels 104, 106. The lines of a weakness 112, 114 and 116, 118 generally originate at first and second crease lines 113, 115 and extend to third and fourth crease lines 111, 117 crossing fold lines 105 and 107, respectively. The pair of opposed crease lines 113, 115 disposed on the third panel 106 generally defines a rib therebetween that remains intact once the lines of a weakness 112, 114 and 116, 118 are broken to move the movable portion from a first to a second position in-use.

[0056] The various components of the blank can be made from any suitable material that can be folded into a carton and may receive lines of weakness that may be broken with a small amount of applied force. Suitable materials can include cardboard, carton stock, paper board, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and ABS plastic amongst other suitable alternatives.

[0057] Other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. It is understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part. All cited references, patents, or patent applications in the above application for letters patent are herein incorporated by reference in a consistent manner. In the event of inconsistencies or contradictions between the incorporated references and this application, the information present in this application shall prevail. The preceding description, given by way of example in order to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the claimed invention, is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims and all equivalents thereto.