WO2011010994A1

WO2011010994A1 - Package with finger engaging arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2011010994A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/051193
Authority: WO
Inventors: John W. Cargile Jr.; Jonathan T. Beales
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 2009-07-21
Filing date: 2009-07-21
Publication date: 2011-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 2012-01-21

Abstract

A package includes a group of articles (100) and a carton (200) that encases the group of articles. The package includes finger engaging arrangements (230a, 230b) that facilitate gripping and pulling the package. The finger engaging arrangements include an opening (240a, 240b) formed in a wall (210) of the carton and a portion of an end (112) of one or more of the articles.

Description

PACKAGE WITH FINGER ENGAGING ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to packages and, more specifically, to cartons that package groups of articles.

BACKGROUND

Packages including cartons that encase groups of articles are typically stored on shelves or in stacks. A consumer can take a package away from the shelf or stack during the process of purchasing the package. As the packages are stacked or grouped together on the shelf, the consumer may have difficulty accessing the handle of a package to remove the package from the shelf. For example, where the packages are stocked on a shelf with ends showing, the sides of the packages where the handle is located may be obstructed by an adjacent package or by the shelf. In addition, it is difficult to grip and pull a package by the end of the package to access the handle. Therefore, there is a need to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY

The various embodiments of the present invention overcome the

shortcomings of the prior art by providing a package that is configured to be gripped and pulled, for example, from a storage position on a shelf. Pulling the carton from a shelf or stack provides access to the handle of the package and the package can then be easily lifted off the shelf.

According to a first exemplary embodiment, a package includes a group of articles and a carton that encases the group of articles. In the exemplary

embodiment, each of the group of articles is cylindrical and the group is arranged in two rows although the teachings can be applied to other arrangements and other types of articles. Matrix arrangements with two rows include a 2 X 4 arrangement, a 2 X 6 arrangement, and a 2 X 8 arrangement. The arrangements can include a different number of rows and columns, nested rows, and many other known or yet to be determined arrangements.

As used herein, the term cylindrical is expansively defined as being substantially symmetric about a longitudinal axis. Cylindrical articles can have any shape of cross section and the cross section can change in shape and size along the length of the article. For purposes of teaching, the illustrated cylindrical articles are cans, although bottles or other cylindrical articles can be used according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

The carton includes a first wall that is adjacent to first ends of articles and a second wall that is adjacent to sides of articles. Where the articles are arranged in two rows, the second wall is adjacent to endmost articles in each of the two rows. Typically, the first wall is a top wall or a side wall depending on the orientation of the package and the second wall is an end wall. A handle is formed in a third wall that extends along the sides of one of the rows or in the first wall.

To facilitate pulling and sliding the package to a position where a handle can be grasped, the package includes a finger engaging arrangement. The finger engaging arrangement includes an opening that is formed in the first wall and a portion of an end of an article, the opening being in substantial registry with the portion of the end of the article. The opening is dimensioned and positioned with respect to the portion of the end of the endmost article. A finger or other object can be inserted into the finger engaging arrangement and an edge or wall of the finger engaging arrangement can be used to pull and slide the package. The limited size of the finger engaging arrangement obstructs the use of the finger engaging arrangement as a lifting handle.

The finger engaging arrangement can be positioned proximate to the end wall of the carton to allow a user to grip the end of the package. For example, the distance between the finger engaging arrangement and the second wall can be substantially less than the diameter of an article. In such an embodiment, a portion of the end of one of the endmost articles can partially define the finger engaging arrangement. The size of the finger engaging arrangement can be limited, for example, such that only the tip of a finger can extend into the finger engaging arrangement. In certain embodiments, to limit the extension of a finger into the finger engaging arrangement, the size of the opening is limited by the size of a typical user's finger and the portion of the article obstructs extension through the opening at a certain depth.

Where the articles are cans, the portion of a can that partially defines a finger engaging arrangement can be the chime or the neck of the can. Either the neck or the chime can include a surface extending substantially perpendicularly to the first wall to partially define the finger engaging arrangement. Where the chime defines the finger engaging arrangement, the opening is positioned over the chime and the depth of the finger engaging arrangement is substantially the depth of the chime. The base wall of the chime provides the base wall of the finger engaging

arrangement and the side wall of the chime and/or the edge of the opening support the pulling force on the package. Further, the side wall of the chime and/or the edge of the opening limits the lateral movement of a finger that is inserted into the finger engaging arrangement such that the base wall of the chime prevents insertion of the finger into the finger engaging arrangement to lift the package. Here, the side wall of the chime provides the surface extending substantially perpendicularly to the first wall.

Where adjacent necks define the finger engaging arrangement, the opening is positioned proximate to where necks come together, the necks provide base and side walls of the finger engaging arrangement, and the depth of the finger engaging arrangement is substantially the height of the neck. Such an arrangement can be provided for example between adjacent endmost articles or between an adjacent endmost article and an adjacent article in the respective row. Here, the sides of the necks provide surfaces that extend substantially perpendicularly to the first wall.

The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view a first exemplary embodiment of a package according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional side elevation view of the package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton of the package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of the package of FIG. 1 illustrating an exemplary method of gripping and pulling the package.

FIGs. 7-11 illustrate exemplary embodiments of blanks for forming cartons of alternative packages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments of a package including a carton and a group of articles. The package includes finger engaging arrangements that allow a user to grip and pull the package.

In the embodiments detailed herein, the term carton refers, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container for enclosing, carrying, and dispensing articles. However, it is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to other containers.

In the embodiments detailed herein, the articles are beverage cans although the teachings of the present disclosure can be applied where the articles are other types of articles including cylindrical articles. As used herein, the term cylindrical article refers, for the non limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to an article that is substantially elongated with opposed ends. Cylindrical articles can have a cross section that has substantially the same shape along the length of the axis.

Referring to FIGs. 1 -4, a first exemplary embodiment of a package 10 includes articles 100 and a carton 200. Referring to FIGs. 2 and 4, the illustrated articles 100 are beverage cans that include a tubular side wall 110, a top end 112, and a bottom end 114. The top end 112 of each of the illustrated articles 100 includes a neck 120 that is tapered and a chime 122. The chime 122 includes a base wall 130, an inner side wall 132, and an upper edge 134. The illustrated bottom end 1 14 also includes a chime that can be used to provide a finger engaging arrangement.

Referring again to FIGs. 1-4, the illustrated carton 200 includes a top wall 210, a first side wall 212, a bottom wall 214, a second side wall 216, a first end wall 218, and a second end wall 220. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the package is capable of many modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the invention. As used herein, directional references such as "top", "base", "bottom", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper", "middle", "lower", "front" and "rear" do not limit the articles or the carton to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish elements from one another.

The illustrated group of articles 100 is arranged in rows and columns and the carton 200 is configured to package the group of articles 100. Although the illustrated arrangement is a 2 X 6 matrix arrangement, it should be understood that the teachings disclosed herein can be applied to packages with other arrangements of articles and different carton configurations. The first side wall 212 is adjacent side walls 110 of articles 100 in the first row 150a of articles 100, the top wall 210 is adjacent top ends 112 of the articles 100, the second side wall 216 is adjacent side walls 110 of articles 100 in the second row 150b of articles 100, the bottom wall 214 is adjacent bottom ends 114 of the articles 100, the first end wall 218 is adjacent the endmost articles 100 at a first end of each row 150a, 150b, and the second end wall 220 is adjacent the endmost articles 100 at a second end of each row 150a, 150b.

The package 10 includes finger engaging arrangements 230a, 230b that are dimensioned and positioned to receive the tips of fingers, as described in further detail below. Referring to FIGs. 3 and 4, generally, the finger engaging

arrangements 230a, 230b are positioned proximate the first end wall 218 to facilitate gripping and pulling the end of the package 10. The illustrated finger engaging arrangements 230a, 230b each include an opening 240a, 240b that is formed in the top wall 210 and necks 120 of adjacent articles 100.

As used herein, the term opening is used expansively to include an access, an aperture, a tab that is displaceable to define an opening, an arrangement of severance lines, a slit, a slot, a flap, a cut, any other means for allowing access through the wall of the carton, combinations thereof, and the like.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the openings 240a, 240b are dimensioned and positioned to cooperate with the necks 120 of adjacent articles 100.

Alternatively described, the openings 240a, 240b are in substantial registry with the necks 120 of adjacent articles 100. The openings 240a, 240b are offset from the first end wall 218 by a distance X1 that is substantially equal to the diameter D of an article 100. Each opening 240a, 240b is positioned between an endmost article 100 and the adjacent article 100 in the respective row 150a, 150b. Further, each opening 240a, 240b is positioned proximate to where the endmost article 100 and the adjacent article 100 in the respective row abut one another. Referring to FIG. 3, the adjacent necks 120 provide interior walls of the finger engaging arrangements 230a, 230b. Portions of the necks define a surface extending substantially perpendicularly to the top wall 210.

In FIG. 4, each can is depicted by dotted lines defining two coaxial circles. The outer circle denoted by reference numeral "110" represents the outline of the cross section of the respective can while the inner circle denoted by reference numeral "132/134" represents the outline of the inner side wall 132 or upper edge 134 of the chime of the respective can. FIG. 4 illustrates the opening 240a, 240b disposed on the perimeter of the outer circle.

The openings 240a, 240b are dimensioned to receive the tip of a finger and to limit the lateral movement of the tip of the finger into an area or internal space Z defined by the necks 120. Such an area or internal space Z is part of the finger engaging arrangements 230a, 230b. The size of the opening 240a, 240b can be limited to that of a single finger or can be larger so long as the area of the opening 240a, 240b substantially projects onto the necks 120. The size of the opening 240a, 240b can be limited to prevent the opening 240a, 240b from being used to lift the package 10. For example, smaller openings 240a, 240b can make it more difficult to curl a finger underneath the top wall 210.

Referring to FIG. 2, the illustrated carton 200 includes a handle 260 that is formed in the first side wall 212. The illustrated handle 260 is substantially centered along the length of the carton 200 so as to be positioned proximate centermost articles 100 of the first row 150a. The handle 260 is positioned in substantial registry with the space between the side walls 110 of the centermost articles 100 to permit a hand to be easily inserted through the handle 260 to carry the package 10. The illustrated handle is provided for purposes of teaching. In alternative embodiments, a handle can have alternative configurations and positions. For example, two slots can provide a handle.

Referring further to FIG. 2, the illustrated carton 200 includes a detachable portion 270 at the end of the carton defined by the second end wall 220. The illustrated detachable portion 270 is a corner of the carton 200 defined by a severance line 272 and includes portions of each of the first side wall 212, the top wall 210, the bottom wall 214, and the second end wall 220. The detachable portion 270 can be separated from the carton 200 along the severance line 272 to provide an opening through which the articles can be dispensed. To initiate breaking the severance line 272 and gripping the detachable portion 270, the carton 200 includes a tear initiation tab 274. The tear initiation tab 274 is defined in the first side wall 212 by a segment of the severance line 272 and by a fold line 276.

Referring to FIG. 5, a blank 300 for forming the carton 200 is now described. The illustrated blank 300 is a single sheet of suitable substrate. As used herein, the term "suitable substrate" includes all manner of foldable sheet material including paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. In the illustrated embodiments, a unitary blank is used to form a single carton, although it should be recognized that two or more blanks may be employed.

The illustrated blank 300 forms a carton for packaging a 2 x 6 arrangement of cans. It is envisaged that the blank can be sized to form a carton for packaging other articles and/or different arrangements of articles.

As used herein, the term "fold line" refers to all manner of lines that define hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding portions of the blank with respect to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal panel folding locations for the blank. A fold line is typically a scored line, an embossed line, or a debossed line.

As used herein, the term "severance line" refers to all manner of lines that facilitate separating portions of the blank from one another or that indicate optimal separation locations. Severance lines may be frangible or otherwise weakened lines, cut lines, or slits. It should be understood that severance lines and fold lines can each include elements that are formed in the substrate of the blank including perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cut line, an interrupted cut line, slits, scores, any combination thereof, and the like. The elements can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For example, a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness to define a fold line and/or a severance line. The line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking, to facilitate folding and facilitate breaking with more effort, or to facilitate breaking with little effort.

The blank 300 includes a series of primary panels which define the walls 210, 212, 214, 216 of a tubular structure of the carton 200. The primary panels are hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines. Specifically, the primary panels include a top panel 310, a first side panel 312, a bottom panel 314, and a second side panel 316. The top panel 310 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 312 along fold line 320, the first side panel 312 is hingedly connected to the bottom panel 314 along fold line 322, and the bottom panel 314 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 316 along fold line 324. The blank 300 further includes an edge flap 318 that facilitates securing the endmost primary panels to one another. The illustrated edge flap 318 is hingedly connected to the top panel 310 along a fold line 326.

End flaps are hingedly connected to opposite ends of each primary panel along fold lines. The end flaps can be folded and secured to form end closure structures at respective open ends of the tubular structure of the carton 200 and thereby define the end walls 218, 220 of the carton 200.

The blank 300 is substantially symmetric such that the end flaps that are hingedly connected to the opposite ends of each primary panel are substantially similar. Accordingly, the end walls 218, 220 of the carton 200 are substantially identical and like references have been used with a suffix "a" or "b" affixed to distinguish one end of the blank 300 from the other. Thus, the description of an element or group of elements having a suffix "a" is generally suitable for a like- numbered element or group of elements having a suffix "b". In certain instances, for clarity, only one of the like elements may be described unless a description of the other or both of the like elements is useful for understanding the invention.

Top end flap 330a is hingedly connected to top panel 310 along fold line 340a, first side end flap 332a is hingedly connected to first side panel 312 along fold line 342a, bottom end flap 334a is hingedly connected to bottom panel 314 along fold line 344a, and second side end flap 336a is hingedly connected to second side panel 316 along fold line 346a.

As described above, the severance line 272 defines the detachable portion 270. The detachable portion 270 can have any size or shape so as to provide a suitable opening for dispensing articles and the illustrated version is provided as a non-limiting example. The illustrated detachable portion 270 is defined along an end edge of the blank 300 so as to include portions of each of the end flaps 330b, 332b, 334a, the top panel 310, the bottom panel 314 and the first side panel 312. The tear initiation tab 274 is formed in the first side panel 312.

The illustrated handle 260 is formed in the first side panel 312 and includes a hand-hole aperture that is filled in by a hand-hole flaps that are at least partially removable. Score lines, or similar lines of partial weakness, help promote, distribute, and direct stress relief in the panel which includes the handle.

Erecting the carton 200 from the blank 300 may be accomplished with the folding operations as described herein. The operations can be performed by automatic erecting machinery and/or manually. The method of performing the erecting process is not limited to the exemplary method described herein.

Particularly, the order of the steps can be altered according to manufacturing requirements, steps may be added or omitted, and the means for securing components to one another may vary.

The surfaces of sheet material together may be secured together by suitable means for securing, such suitable securing means including tape, staples, interlocking folds, VELCRO^®, glue or other adhesives, combinations thereof, and the like. The blank can be folded and secured to form a collapsed tubular structure by folding the edge flap 318 along the fold line 326 such that the inside surface of the edge flap 318 is in flat face contact with the inside surface of the top panel 310, applying glue or other adhesive to the outside surface of the edge flap 318, and folding the blank 300 along the fold line 322 such that the inside surface of the second side panel 316 is in flat face contact with, and thereby secured to, the outside surface of the edge flap 318.

A tubular structure can thereafter be erected from the collapsed tubular structure where the primary panels form the walls of the tubular structure. The top panel 310 forms the top wall 210, the first side panel 312 forms the first side wall 212, the bottom panel 314 forms the bottom wall 214, and the second side panel 316 forms the second side wall 216. The tubular structure of the carton 200 includes open ends through which articles can be loaded. It should be understood that the end flaps can be folded outwardly or otherwise so as not to obstruct articles 100 as they are loaded through one or both of the open ends.

End walls 218, 220 are formed by folding the end flaps as described herein. Side end flaps 332a, 336a are folded inwardly toward the open end of the tubular structure along fold lines 342a, 346a so as to be substantially coplanar with one another. Top and bottom end flaps 330a, 334a are folded inwardly toward to the open end of the tubular structure along fold lines 340a, 344a to be substantially coplanar with one another. The top and bottom end flaps 330a, 334a overlap the side end flaps 332a, 336a and overlap one another. Glue or other adhesive is applied to the overlapping portions of the end flaps to secure the end flaps to one another. Thereby, the carton 200 is erected and loaded to form the package 10.

An exemplary method of operating the package 10 is now described.

Referring to FIG. 6, as the package 10 rests on a surface, an end of the package 10 can be gripped by engaging a finger with each of the finger engaging arrangements 230a, 230b. Each finger is pressed against the necks 120 of the articles through the openings 240a, 240b and/or is even wedged between and contacts the necks 120 of the articles 100. The package 10 can then be pulled to slide the package in the direction Y1. As the package 10 is pulled, the neck 120 of the endmost article 100 and the edge of the opening 240a, 240b support the finger.

As previously mentioned, the configuration of the finger engaging

arrangements 230a, 230b inhibits lifting the package 10 in the direction Y2 with the finger engaging arrangements 230a, 230b. The size of the opening 240a, 240b and that of the space Z defined by the necks 120 each contributes to this feature.

Turning now to FIGs. 7-11 , additional exemplary embodiments are illustrated. Each of the illustrated cartons 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 is substantially similar to the carton 200 shown in FIG. 4 except for the dimension and position of openings. As such, where the elements introduced and described above are present and substantially similar to elements of the cartons 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, the same element number has been used and the above description of the element is not repeated. Rather, the discussion of the cartons 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 will be limited to elements where further discussion is useful for purposes of teaching.

Referring to FIG. 7, a finger engaging arrangement 430 is defined by an opening 440 and necks 120 of articles 100. The opening 440 is positioned over a space defined by the necks 120 of the endmost articles 100 of the first and second rows of articles. The proximity of the opening 440 to the end wall 218, the distance therebetween being substantially equal to half of the diameter D of an article 100, facilitates easily gripping the package 10 with the finger engaging arrangement 430 that is partially defined by the opening 440. The edge of the opening 440 that is nearmost the end wall 218 supports a finger that is received in the finger engaging arrangement 430.

Referring to FIGs. 8-11 , finger engaging arrangements are defined as openings are positioned with respect the chimes 122 of the endmost articles 100. The illustrated openings are provided by displaceable tabs that are defined by a fold line and a severance line. Generally described, in these embodiments, the base wall 130 and a portion of the inner side wall 132 partially define the finger engaging arrangements along with the openings. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGs. 8 and 9, openings are positioned with respect to the portion of the inner side wall 132 that is closest to the end wall 218. In these embodiments, the distance between the end wall 218 and each finger engaging arrangement is small such that the package 10 can be easily gripped. Referring to FIG. 8, each of the illustrated openings 540a, 540b is defined by a displaceable tab 542 that is defined by a fold line 544 and a severance line 546. The fold line 544 is substantially parallel to the end wall 218 and is adjacent the inner side wall 132 such that when the severance line 546 is broken, the tab 544 rotates toward and against the inner side wall 132. The edge defined by the fold line 544 and the inner side wall 132 provide support and the fold line 544 and the tab 542 provide cushioning as the package 10 is pulled in the direction Y1 as described above.

In FIG. 8, each can is depicted by dotted lines defining two coaxial circles. The outer circle denoted by reference numeral "110" represents the outline of the cross section of the respective can while the inner circle denoted by reference numeral "132" represents the outline of the inner side wall 132 (or upper edge 134) of the chime of the respective can. FIG. 8 illustrates the opening 540a, 540b disposed within the perimeter of inner circle.

Referring to FIG. 9, the illustrated openings 640a, 640b are defined by displaceable tabs 642 that are each defined by a fold line 644 and a severance line 646. The severance line 646 is adjacent the inner side wall 132 and the fold line 644 is offset from the inner side wall 132. The fold line 644 is substantially parallel to the end wall 218. As the severance line 646 is broken, the severed edge of the opening 640a, 640b and the inner side wall 132 provide support as the package 10 is gripped and pulled. The tab 642 folds into the chime 122 and provides a barrier to prevent a finger from extending under the top wall 210 to lift the package 10. For example, the distance between the fold line 644 and the distal end of the tab 642 can be greater than the depth of the chime 122 such that the tab 642 contacts the base wall 130 and is prevented from folding further inward.

Referring to FIGs. 10 and 11 , openings are positioned with respect to the inner side wall 132 such that the distance between the openings is reduced, for example, when compared to the openings illustrated in FIGs. 8 and 9. Referring to FIG. 10, each of the illustrated openings 740a, 740b is defined by a displaceable tab 742 that is defined by a fold line 744 and a severance line 746. The fold line 744 is angled with respect to the end wall 218 and is adjacent the inner side wall 132 such that when the severance line 746 is broken, the tab 744 rotates toward and against the inner side wall 132. The edge defined by the fold line 744 and the inner side wall 132 provide support and the fold line 744 and the tab 742 provide cushioning as the package 10 is pulled in the direction Y1 as described above. The angle Θ1 defined by the fold lines 744, 744 is less than 180 degrees and preferably no less than 90 degrees while the angle defined by the fold lines 544, 544 or that by the fold lines 644, 644 in FIGs. 8 and 9 is about 180 degrees. Reducing the distance between the openings or the associated angle can make it easier to grip the package 10.

Referring to FIG. 10, the illustrated openings 840a, 840b are defined by displaceable tabs 842 that are each defined by a fold line 844 and a severance line 846. The severance line 846 is adjacent the inner side wall 132 and the fold line 844 is offset from the inner side wall 132. The fold line 844 is angled with respect to the end wall 218. As the severance line 846 is broken, the severed edge of the opening 840a, 840b and the inner side wall 132 provide support as the package 10 is gripped and pulled. The tab 842 folds into the chime 122 and provides a barrier to prevent a finger from extending under the top wall 210 to lift the package 10. For example, the distance between the fold line 844 and the distal end of the tab 842 can be greater than the depth of the chime 122 such that the tab 842 contacts the base wall 130 and is prevented from folding further inward. The angle Θ2 defined by the fold lines 844, 844 is less than 180 degrees and preferably no less than 90 degrees

In alternative embodiments, the finger engaging arrangement may be provided on another carton wall such that one or more openings of the finger engaging arrangement are in substantial registry with one or more portions of the bottom ends of the cans.

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.

Claims

1. A package comprising:

a plurality of substantially cylindrical articles;

a carton enclosing the articles, the carton comprising a first wall disposed along ends of the articles; and

a finger-engaging arrangement comprising a portion of the end of a first one of the articles and a first opening defined in the first wall, the first opening being in substantial registry with the portion of the end of the first article..

2. The package of claim 1 , wherein the carton further comprises a second wall disposed along side walls of at least some of the articles, and wherein the first opening is positioned proximate the second wall.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein the first opening is disposed on a perimeter of a notional circle on the first wall representing a cross section of the first article projected on the first wall.

4. The package of claim 2, wherein the first opening is disposed within a perimeter of a notional circle on the first wall representing a cross section of the first article projected on the first wall.

5. The package of claim 2, wherein the distance between the first opening and the second wall is substantially less than the diameter of each of the articles.

6. The package of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the end of the first article includes a surface extending substantially perpendicularly to the first wall.

7. The package of claim 1 , wherein the size of the first opening is substantially equal to a cross sectional area of the tip of a finger.

8. The package of claim 1 , wherein the finger-engaging arrangement further comprises a displaceable tab struck from the first wall to define the first opening.

9. The package of claim 2, wherein the carton further comprises a third wall and a handle provided on the third wall, the third wall being disposed adjacent to the first and second walls.

10. The package of claim 1 , wherein the articles are cans each having a chime at the ends thereof and wherein the portion of the end of the first article comprises a portion of the chime of the first article.

1 1. The package of claim 1 , wherein the articles are cans each having a tapered neck at the ends thereof and wherein the portion of the end of the first article comprises a portion of the neck of the first article.

12. The package of claim 1 1 , wherein the necks of the cans each provides a surface extending substantially perpendicularly to the first wall.

13. The package of claim 1 , wherein the articles are cans each having a top end including a chime, the chimes of the cans each including an inner side wall having a peripherally extending upper edge and wherein the portion of the end of the first article comprises a portion adjacent to the inner side of the first article.

14. The package of claim 13, wherein the inner side walls of the chimes of the cans each defines a recessed base wall disposed within the inner side wall, and wherein the portion of the end of the first article comprises a portion of the recessed base wall of the first article

15. The package of claim 13, wherein the inner side walls of the chimes of the cans each provides a surface extending substantially perpendicularly to the first wall.

16. The package of claim 2, wherein the articles are arranged in at least two rows, and wherein the carton further comprises a third wall disposed adjacent to side walls of articles in one of the at least two rows.

17. The package of claim 16, wherein the second wall is disposed along the side walls of endmost articles in the at least two rows.

18. The package of claim 2, wherein the finger-engaging arrangement further comprises a portion of the end of a second one of the of articles and a second opening in the first wall , the second opening being in substantial registry with the portion of the end of the second article.

19. The package of claim 18, wherein the second article is located adjacent to the second wall.

20. The package of claim 1 , wherein the finger-engaging arrangement further comprises a portion of the end of a second one of the articles, the second article being adjacent to the first article, the first opening being in substantial registry with both the portions of the ends of the first and second articles.