Beverage-can carry-carton easy grab finger-aperture

Abstract

An ergonomic handling improvement for popular beverage-can cartons of the 12-pack and 20-pack paperboard sleeve type carton presenting six ad-graphics bearing panels extending in parallelpied manner around perifery of the internally enshrouded cans; a conventional perforated carry-handle typically located mid-way along the right/side-panel is intended to enable the shopper to lift the carton into their shopping-cart. However, in most instances a shopper finds this carry-handle is not initially accessible, owing the usually tightly packed array of the retail-store shelves. Disclosed is a novel finger-aperture grab-hole critically located atop the vertical spatial-void defined by the foremost quad-cluster of cans, conveniently enabling the shopper to readily snag the carton using one or two fingers, and thereby withdraw the carton from amongst the intimately packed array; whereupon the shopper is able to thereby access the existing carry-handle, and optionally use coordinated effort of both secured hand holds to lift the carton away to their shopping-cart.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention generally relates to packaged paperboard type containers, and more particularly to beverage-can cartons of the type featuring a panel surface punch-in carry-handle portion serving as a convenient means by which to lift and tote the carton; and furthermore this disclosure particularly relates to the popular elongated 12-pack and 20-pack configurations commonly seen nowadays stacked intimately upon the shelves of supermarket retail-store self-serve display-islands or kiosks.

[0003] 2. Relevant Prior Art

[0004] Background research discovery provides some prior patent-art regarded as germane to this disclosure, chronologically for example U.S. Pat. No. 2,196,502 assigned to `Container Corp of America` set forth a ruggedly fabricated die-cut and crease fold-scored paperboard case featuring an opposed pair of top-flaps (per FIG. 4), one of which employing a factory punched circular finger-hole of a size suited to receiving a man's index-finger; thereby enabling the user to readily flip-open the top-flap to gain access to the beverage-bottles contained therein. However, as such, there was no need nor expressed contemplation of using the said finger-hole as to draw the case toward oneself, in order to more easily remove the case from amongst a group of stacked cases.

[0005] In U.S. Pat. No. 2,718,301 assigned to `Package Machinery Co.` is set forth the notion of a four-finger grab-hole for a factory-sealed paperboard beverage-can carton; wherein pressure applied by one's grouped finger-tips causes the factory perforated and fold-to scored aperture-flap to foldingly retract within the confines of the carton proximal the V'd-cavity formed between two cans. However, other than resembling the integral carry-handle typically provided with the currently popular 12-pack carton, there is no correlation to the invention disclosure hereof.

[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,186 assigned to `Riverwood Int'al. Corp.` is set forth the notion of a food carrier device simply comprised of two portions, a lower 4-cavity unit, and an upper substantially planar lid forming a cover over each of said cavities; plus centered between said 4-cavities is a semi-circular flap which folds down upon a shopper's inserting of their index-finger so as to lift the container upward from a retail-store's self-serve reach-down cooler. However, the finger-hole of this embodiment folds beneath the flange surround of the 4-cavity portion, and only serves to facilitate lifting of said container, not drawing it horizontally toward the shopper.

[0007] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,874 assigned to `FootStar Corp.` is set forth a shoebox-carton with vertically opposed front-edge finger-holes facilitating much easier grasping and horizontal extraction of a selected shoebox from a vertically tiered stack of shoeboxes. However, there is no correlation with applicant's invention, in as much as beverage-can cartons are stacked one above an identical type of beverage, thus there is never a need to select a carton from those below, as the shopper always draws beverage-can cartons from the top of the stack.

[0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 8,479,973 assigned to `Graphic Packaging Int'al. Corp.` is shown a currently popular 12-pack type of paperboard beverage-can carton, which is of the type featuring a centrally located integrally formed multi-finger grab-handle, in combination with the notion of an avolsable FrigPak® end-cover for refrigerator accessibility of individual beverage-cans. Plus an additional grasping means is set forth in this embodiment, comprising a pair of laterally opposed perforation avolsable finger-tip holds (162 & 164 of FIGS. 4 & 5) located at the forward-end of the carton (--subsequently becoming the aft-end when placed into one's home refrigerator). Although intended to enable the shopper to more conveniently withdraw a 12-pack from amongst an intimately stacked group of supermarket shelf-inventory cartons; this provision has not met with acceptance by the public, as consumer-studies indicate this configuration fails `intuitive usage`, and particularly among women,--it is regarded as a `fingernail breaker` when attempting to aggressively penetrate the right and left perforated-tabs! It should be noted in usPat. . . . #973 that only FIGS. 4 & 5 actually represent the true shelf-stacked orientation of these access-flaps for a 12-pack carton, owing that the aluminum beverage-cans contained therein must of necessity have their axies arranged vertically in order to structurally sustain stacking-loads.

SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION DISCLOSURE

[0009] A.) In view of the foregoing discussion about the earlier invention art, it is therefore important to make it pellucid to others interested in the art that the object of this invention is to provide a beverage-can carton of the sort much in common with that 12-pack configuration which particularly in the earlier mentioned usPat.#. . . 973 sought to address the pesky problem of accessibility from intimately stacked retail-store shelves, which are oft so closely or tightly packed that one cannot see an air-gap between them. The rather involved opposed right & left access-tabs set forth in usPat.#. . . 973 fell short in its lacking an intuitive-usage quality necessary in consumer shopping convenience.

[0010] Applicant hereof seeks to better satisfy the need for a more direct shopper friendly solution, which does not require the hurried shopper to spend time analytically contemplating what is required of them in the function of an intricate packaging feature, which at once must also satisfy the needs of packaging companies as to ease of reproduction, cost-effectiveness, and preserving sanitation of the packaged goods.

[0011] B.) Another object of this invention disclosure is to set forth both a beverage-can 12-pack and 20-pack beverage-can carton in keeping with the popular existing configuration, which comprise a plurality of parallelpied panels, including a top-panel, an opposing bottom-panel, a right-side panel and an opposed left-side panel, and opposite end-panel closure-flaps, both said end-panels comprising at least two end-flaps which partially overlap as to substantially enclose the ends. Moreover, the disclosure hereof is directed to providing the likes of a substantially conventional die-cut paperboard or equivalent blank, which is easily imprinted upon as to facilitate attractive graphic information about the beverage product which the shopper generally needs to know.

[0012] In yet another aspect, it is herein preferred this invention disclosure be adapted to a beverage-can carton of the sort exemplified in earlier said usPat.#. . . 973, wherein is shown an existing integrally formed transversely oriented tote-handle or carry-handle, which is quite cost-effectively formed via conventional avulsably perforated-tab and fold-scoring means, and which is typically arranged upon the right-sidewall midway between the carton ends, and thus between two opposed cylinderical bodies of the transversely arranged beverage-cans, and whereto said 12-pack or 20-pack beverage-carton are manually rotated 90-degrees CCW (--from its normal shelf display orientation), by the shopper, whereby the carry-handle becomes upwardly facing, thereby providing a stable evenly-balanced fore/aft condition during handling by the shopper. Being that a full factory-sealed 12-pack weighs 10.6-lbs., and a 20-pack weighs 17.6-lbs., the proper handling of these somewhat slippery and ungainly cartons is of vital importance in effort to avoid incidence of shopper-strain, and floor-spillage owing to occasional opening of the factory-glued end-flaps by a frustrated shopper trying to obtain a means by which to slide a carton out from amongst the stack!

[0013] Moreover, it is likewise desired that the instant disclosure preferred embodiment hereof also include the conventional avulsably perforated FrigPack® end-cover feature substantially as exhibited in said usPat.#. . . 973, owing that this is a popular convenience feature, enabling consumers to readily retrieve beverage-cans from the carton once it is lodged in its final refrigerator dispensing-mode of usage (ie: --which said end-cover is necessarily now facing toward the refrigerator-door, while it is always facing toward the rear when stacked upon retail-shelves, --yet once the end-cover is removed the resulting hand-access aperture is necessarily facing forward in order to use the FrigPack® access feature). Accordingly, it is to be understood that no novelty claim is made nor implied by the inventor of this instant disclosure regarding either the said carry-handle nor the avusable FrigPack® end-cover features.

[0014] There remains however, need for a viably innovative solution to the problem of retail-store shelf retrieval by the customer, as the laterally-opposed finger-grips feature of said usPat.#. . . 973 which endeavored to address the problem, has been deemed to awkward for the average shopper to readily manipulate. Hence, the inventor hereof has devised and prototype-tested an entirely new manner of accessibility developed to facilitate quick and easy withdrawal of conventional beverage-can cartons, such as the popular 12-pack and 20-pack versions, from the often difficult to access tightly packed supermarket island-shelving. Notably, both beverage-can carton size iterations share the same somewhat awkward transitional-handling situation, wherein as the carton is slid partially outward by the shopper, for in order to properly use the carry-handle located on the right sidewall panel, it is necessary that the shopper maintain their left-hand someplace proximal the front of the carton as they grope around the right-side to press-in the existing perforated carry-handle provision.

[0015] Accordingly, the notion as to to novelty being set forth herein is exclusively of a convenient top-panel finger-aperture, which in its most rudimentary form constitutes an ultimately simply, albeit very effective finger grab-hole, which is made unique by virtue of its critical placement; -whether provided from the factory as an elementary open-hole (--which is the inventor's preference owing that it is immediately visible by the shopper!), --or employed as a generic-variant in combination with a perforated closure-tab (--which retailers may prefer owing that it keeps the carton sealed from intrusion of dust or insects such as cockroaches). Regardless, either generic implementation efficiently overcomes this prevailing access difficulty by offering two human-factors engineering advantages . . . first, my finger-aperture initially enables the shopper to immediately without fuss, easily withdraw a selected beverage-carton without fumbling amongst the tightly clustered array; --then secondly, sliding the beverage-carton outwardly while still supported aftwardly upon the shelf, the shopper has only to then reach around via their right-hand to the once exposed carry-handle situated on the right side-wall, and while maintaining both the said front and side finger-holds, the shopper simply executes a coordinated lifting-upward via their right-hand relative to their prevailing finger-aperture stabilizing left-hand, whilst simultaneously rotating the beverage-carton 90-degrees counter-clockwise(CCW), whereupon the shopper may then optionally release their left-hand from the assisting finger-aperture while bodily transferring the beverage-carton into their adjacent shopping-cart basket.

[0016] C.) Another object of this invention disclosure is to set forth a remarkably simple device by which to readily overcome the afore eluded to carton handling difficulty, commonly experienced by most supermarket shoppers, wherein the beverage-can cartons such as the popular 12-pack and 20-pack variety are often packed together so intimately as to confront the usual shopper with a dreaded accessibility problem! In what would at first glance seem insignificant, turns out to become a rather formidable task, for the customer finds to their dismay that the tops of the beverage-can cartons are all smoothly imperforate, providing no physical means by which to initially grab-hold of an individually selected carton. This is owing that with both 20-packs and particularly the 12-packs (having the FrigPak® perforated end-cover provision), the actual tote carry-handle provision mentioned in item-B is not usually visible nor accessible because it is necessarily arranged upon the right/side-panel of the carton, due to the necessity of the toting carry-handle having to be disposed in cooperation with the transverse-axes of the beverage-cans, yet the beverage-cans must always be stacked with their axes oriented vertically so as to naturally resist crushing-loads while the cartons are hurriedly stacked upon the shelves.

[0017] Also, because supermarket shelf-space is at a premium as to cost per-cubic, surveys reveal that the non-chilled 12-packs and 20-packs are typically stacked to within an inch below the next above tiered shelf, whereby the shopper cannot even reach-in more than a few inches before the thickness of their hand becomes wedged to a stop! This situation becomes an even more exasperating experience when encountered by an estimated 10% of supermarket customers whom are afflicted by some hand emcumberace, or even worse, some of whom are shopping while sitting in a wheelchair (or electric-cart conveyance provided by the supermarket), and these folks will often have to call upon the store-manager for assistance in extracting one or more such beverage-can cartons which in this scenario, absent a means by which to initially snag a carton, are found by some shoppers impossible to transfer into their shopping-cart basket without assistance from a store-manager.

[0018] While the conventional said 12-pack and 20-pack cartons are both designed for the popular thin-walled aluminum 12/fluid-ounce `PopTop` beverage-cans, it is possible that beverage-company marketing-managers may elect to also offer similar cartons around the recently introduced 37%-smaller 7.5/fluid-ounce(222-mL) PopTop beverage-can, --which is visually proportional to the larger can, yet is only 2.25''-diam.×4.1''-height, as compared to 2.6''-diam.×5.84''-height for the 12-oz. beverage-can; --while both beverage-can versions employ a standard 2.125''-diam. upper-chime; --thus it is verily intended that this disclosure encompass possible variant beverage-can iterations, which would only primarily effect some differences in the surface-area of the carton, the principles of novelty being set forth in this disclosure remaining just as effective.

[0019] D.) Therefore, my solution to his pesky initial shelf retrieval problem is simply the provision of a critically arranged finger-aperture' located atop the beverage-can carton proximally 21/2-inches (6.4 cm) from the front (ie: leading) edge of the stacked carton, and also precisely centered between the foremost four cans of a conventional 12-pack or similarly a 20-pack for example. This grab-hole finger-aperture preferably accommodates the insertion of two fingers, and is therefore generally of transversely oblong configuration, measuring approximately: 11/2-inches long×3/4-inch wide, and is preferably factory perforated around its aft portion as well around its transversely opposed ends, leaving the front portion merely scored, as to thereby become a provisional fold-down tab upon being readily punched-in by the shopper. Alternately, the finger-aperture can be simply be a circle (--providing a hold for one finger), or an oval (or ellipsoidal) formation, so as to accommodate only two 90%-tile fingers (as three adult-fingers will actually not fit into the spatial-void existing between a quad-cluster of 12-oz. beverage-cans). In any event, a minor forward portion of the finger-aperture tab is fold-scored, as to enable the avulsed-tab perforated portion to be downwardly pressed-inward as to thereby hingedly depend from the carton's top-panel, retracting submissively into the vertical spatial-void afforded by the consistent cluster of the foremost of four grouped cans.

[0020] With the finger-aperture thereby provided, the shopper merely inserts their finger(s) just passed or proximal their second-knuckle, as to thereby momentarily act in the manner of an L-hook shaped finger-snag means by which the casual shopper may thus easily withdraw the selected beverage-can carton outward from amongst the heretofore problematically tightly-packed array of cartons, and outward from the shelf-front to which the carton front-panels are typically aligned.

[0021] Moreover, the finger-aperture user will readily find they can employ a quasi `bowlers-grip` relative to the upper leading-edge of the carton, --whereby their index-finger and small-finger may remain poised atop the carton on both sides of the finger-aperture, while their thumb is pressed down firmly against the front facing panel of the carton; --whereupon the user maintains the described secure bowler's-grip as they in combination with the existing perforated carry-handle located further aft upon the carton's right-sidewall, commence a coordinated two-hand hoisting of the carton away from the stacked carton array, and readily into their shopping-cart. Or if the shopper is handicapped and seated in a wheeled conveyance, the user would likely pull the beverage-can carton unto their lap using their left-hand to grip me EZ-grab finger-aperture, then using both hands (right-hand gripping the carry-handle) proceed to transfer the awkward carton into their cart-basket.

[0022] E.) Hence, in light of the foregoing, it is increasingly understood now that the instant disclosure indeed offers a uniquely simple and efficient means by which to overcome a heretofore perplexing handling of an initially cumbersome form of packaging, which is however otherwise found by the shopping public to be quite user-friendly, particularly in the 12-pack configuration, --once it can be successfully withdrawn from the retail-store's oft tightly stacked array, and eventually becomes often placed into the shopper's home refrigerator in the customary manner so a to avail themselves of the handy conventional FrigPak® -dispenser feature.

[0023] Therefore, in full consideration of the preceding patent review, there is determined a need for an improved form of finger-aperture device to which the afore mentioned prior-art patents have been largely addressed. The instant inventor hereof believes their newly improved beverage-can carton accessing device, commercially referred to as the--`EZ-Grab®`, (aka: EZ-Grab N'Carry) currently being developed for production under auspices of the `HighSierra Consulting--llc Mkt.Co.`, exhibits certain advantages as shall be revealed in the subsequent portion of this instant disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT DRAWINGS

[0024] The foregoing and still other objects of this invention disclosure will become fully apparent, along with various advantages and features of novelty residing in the present embodiments, from study of the following description of the variant generic species embodiments and study of the ensuing description of these embodiments. Wherein indicia of reference are shown to match related matter stated in the text, as well as the Claims section annexed thereto; and accordingly a better understanding of the invention and the variant uses is intended, by reference to the drawings, --which are considered as primarily exemplary and therefore not to be construed as restrictive in nature, wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1, is a pictorial perspective-view favoring the frontal upper-right portion of an exemplified paperboard 12-pack carton, showing the novel critically located finger-aperture centered directly above the four foremost beverage-cans phantom-outlined therein, and including the phantom-outlined left-hand of an exemplified shopper relative to the said finger-aperture, also showing the phantom-outlined right-hand of said shopper relative to the conventional carry-handle; --plus action ref.-arrows serve to demonstrate coordinated transitional usage of said shopper's hands in removing the carton from the intimately stacked array of cartons.

[0026] FIG. 2, is an oblique upper-right semi-diagrammatic pictorial-view exhibiting the relative physical configuration of a conventional 20-pack in comparison to a conventional 12-pack carton, both beverage-can carton iterations employ the popular conventional carry-handle, and are also shown with indications of respective 4×5 and 2×6 beverage-can arrangements to aid visual perception; plus the cartons are also shown adapted with the novel finger-aperture provision.

[0027] FIG. 3A, is a plan-view of a substantially conventional factory die-cut paperboard blank, which is imprinted and becomes perforated in certain places, and fold-scored for close automated fitting around the beverage-cans; and whereto is precisely indicated the required EZ-Grab® finger-aperture positioning thereto;

[0028] FIG. 3B, is a 10× enlarged fragmentary portion of the plan-view according to

[0029] FIG. 3A, wherein is depicted the most rudimentary factory pre-punched through-hole version of the finger-aperture for one finger;

[0030] FIG. 3C, is a 10× enlarged fragmentary portion of the plan-view according to FIG. 3A, wherein is depicted an also rudimentary factory pre-punched through-hole version of the finger-aperture albeit for two fingers;

[0031] FIG. 3D, is a 10× enlarged fragmentary portion of the plan-view according to FIG. 3A, wherein is depicted an alternate generic variant embodiment of the finger-aperture for one-finger which is factory perforated and fold-scored so as to remain sealed when placed upon the retail-shelf;

[0032] FIG. 3E, is a 10× enlarged fragmentary portion of the plan-view according to FIG. 3A, wherein is depicted an alternate generic variant embodiment of the finger-aperture for two-fingers which is transversely elongated, and is factory perforated and fold-scored so as to remain sealed when placed upon the retail-shelf;

[0033] FIG/ 3F. is a 10× enlarged fragmentary portion of the plan-view according to FIG. 3A, wherein is depicted an alternate generic variant embodiment of the finger-aperture for two-fingers, which is also transversely elongated, and is also factory perforated and fold-scored as to thereby remain sealed when placed upon the retail-shelf.

[0034] FIG. 4A, is a semi-diagrammatic cross-sectional left/side-elevation view exhibiting the discovered heretofore unused spatial-void shown as a graphically cross-hatched vertical-column in relationship to the factory-sealed EZ-Grab® finger-aperture during initial manual penetration by a store shopper;

[0035] FIG. 4B, is a semi-diagrammatic cross-sectional upper/plan-view corresponding to FIG. 4A here showing the spatial-void as a graphically cross-hatched azimuth demarcation area relative to the juxtaposed quad-cluster of beverage-cans, and in critical relationship to the novel EZ-Grab® finger-aperture.

[0036] NOTE usPTO: --do not reduce the below Refs., must remain full-size for proper legibility)

ITEMIZED NOMENCLATURE QUICK-REFERENCE

[0037] Exemplified conventional carton:

[0038] 10', 10'x, 10a, 10p, 10s--12-pack, longitudinal-axis, carton array, perforation, fold-score

[0039] 10'', 10''x--20-pack, longitudinal-axis

[0040] 10t, 10b--top-panel, bottom-panel

[0041] 10L, 10R--left-side panel, right-side panel

[0042] 10U--upper-frontal edge

[0043] 10e/f--end-panel flaps: upper/lower

[0044] 10p, 10g, 10z--die-cut blank, graphics imprintable exterior, glue application zone

[0045] 11, 11a/b, 11p--carry-handle, opposed fore/aft sealing-flaps, perforated-line

[0046] 12, 12a/b, 12p--end-cover, access-flaps: fore/aft, perforated-line

[0047] 13, 13b--store shelf, pricing-data bracket

[0048] 14, 14c, 14D, 14X, 14V, 14Q- beverage-can, can's chime, can's diameter, can's longitudinal-axis, spatial-void, quad-cluster

[0049] 15L, 15h, 15bg; 15R, 15pg--shopper's hands: left-hand, L-hook, bowler's-grip; right-hand, paw-grip.

[0050] 16X--finger-aperture: critical alignment centering point

[0051] 16'--finger-aperture: pre-punched through-hole

[0052] 16'', 16''p, 16''s--finger-aperture: post-punched through-hole, perforated-line, scored fold-line

[0053] 16''Tc/16''To--finger-aperture tab: closed-tab/open-tab

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0054] Initial descriptive reference is given by way of FIG. 1, wherein is revealed how the novel EZ-Grab® finger-aperture 16'/16'' (ie: -can be either of the two generic versions) located prominently upon the beverage-can carton's top-panel 10T, enables the finger(s) of a store shopper's left-hand 15L to conveniently snag and withdraw the exhibited conventional 12-pack carton 10' from amongst a closely packed array 10A of like cartons. Note that novel finger-aperture 16'/16'' is critically arranged precisely over the substantially X-shaped spatial-void 14V interstitial to the intimately grouped foremost quad-cluster of beverage-cans 14; --for without this critical relationship the shopper's finger(s) would not align into the spatial-void 14V, and instead merely abut down against the top of a beverage-can, --which event would defeat ability of the shopper to obtain a desired snagging action.

[0055] This novel finger-aperture provision constitutes a significant device and method by which to obtain an otherwise oft quite difficult to assess beverage-can carton. Once the 12-pack carton 10' becomes withdrawn at least half-way, the carton's factory-sealed conventional carry-handle 11 becomes exposed as shown in FIG. 1, enabling the shopper to readily thrust the finger-tips of their right-hand 15R thereto as to thereby avolsedly penetrate the perforated opposed coincidental sealing-flaps 11a and 11b (ref. FIG. 3A), thus enabling the shopper to insert the paw-like four finger formation of their right-hand 15R inward while curling their fingers under the inwardly folding sealing-flap 11a as enabled by proximity of the beverage-cans cylinderical bodies which form a receptive spatial declivity-pocket between two adjacent beverage-cans 14 and the inside-surface of right-side panel 10R.

[0056] Also revealed in FIG. 1 is how the vital finger-aperture 16'/16'' functions in cooperation with existing carry-handle 11; as it is optionally preferred the shopper obtain the likeness of a bowler's-grip hand-stance, which is aptly demonstrated by the shopper's left-hand 15L portrayed relative to the end-structure of carton 10'; --where it will be noted that at least one (albeit preferably two) fingers are inserted into the finger-aperture 16'/16'' as the stabilizing index-finger and little-finger are poised astrattle finger-aperture 16'/16'', whilst the shopper's thumb is pressed firmly against the carton's overlapping end-panel flaps 10e and 10f. At this juncture, with both hands firmly ensconced at their respective finger-holds, the shopper proceeds to lift with their right-hand 15R as indicated by the action ref.-arrow marked `up`, then while maintaining their left-hand 15L grip upon the carton's end-structure assured by finger-aperture 16'/16'', the shopper induces a transitional rotation along carton-axis 10'x as is indicated via progressive action ref.-arrows marked 45° and 90° (--whereto upon both arrows is also shown a likeness of carry-handle aperture 11 for added clarity). With this quickly executed CCW(counter-clockwise) PO rotation of the carton along its longitudinal-axis 10'x, the carry-handle 11 becomes facing upward, which orientation the carry-handle 11 will preferably continue, even while the carton 10' is eventually turned in azimuth 180° when it is finally placed into the shopper's home refrigerator, and the conventional FrigPack® end-cover 12 is manually detached by avulsion along perforated-line 12p and discarded for access to the beverage-cans therein. A collateral advantage of the factory pre-punched finger-apertures 16', is that it offers the hurried retail-store shelf-stocker a prominent point of reference, --for they need only visually glance at the top of the carton stacks down the line as in FIG. 1 to notice if any were inadvertently loaded backwards relative to the shelf-front defined by the shelf's pricing-data bracket 13b.

[0057] Reference to FIG. 2 exhibits the physical configuration differences between the conventional 12-pack carton 10' and the conventional 20-pack carton 10'', wherein besides being bulkier the 20-pack version is made without a detachable FrigPack® end-cover 12, yet both iterations feature a conventional laterally arranged carry-handle 11 upon their respective right-side panels 10R. Note that FIG. 2 is actually a rear aspect view, and with both cartons shown rotated with their handles facing upward, --which view is not at all normally seen on a retail-shelf, but serves here to show how the 12-pack appears when initially placed into the shopper's home refrigerator. Also shown is the basic relative location of the rudimentary factory pre-punched finger-aperture 16' on both the 20-pack 10'' and 12-pack 10' cartons.

[0058] Study of the factory die-cut paperboard blank shown in FIG. 3A is significant in that it reveals the relative positioning of the adapted finger-aperture referenced at 16X, which is thus centered in critical alignment with the spatial-void 14V that is created by the quad-cluster 14Q of the four foremost beverage-cans. Note also in FIG. 3A that the EZ-Grab® finger-aperture is adapted to the existing paperboard packaging blank without imposing need for additional paperboard material usage. The rest of the indica shown on FIG. 3A relate to pre-existing features of the conventional 12-pack and 20-pack cartons, Further related FIGS. 3B/3C/3D/3E/3F each reveal generic variant embodiments of the finger-aperture which are essentially exemplified options of engineering-design choice, which are each presented as enlarged portions of the beverage-can carton blank of FIG. 3A.

[0059] The carton's upper-frontal edge 10U is also shown in FIG. 2, as well as in FIG. 1 which accurately portrays the actual viewing aspect of the finger-aperture 16' or 16'' as seen by the shopper. Note for example in FIGS. 3A & 3B that the critical alignment centering point 16X for exemplified finger-aperture 16' is shown to be set-back from the upper-frontal edge 10U an indicated distance of 14D, that correlates to the diameter of a beverage-can, which in the case of a popular 12-fl.oz. can is nominally 2.6-inches (plus allowance for packaging tolerances). Accordingly, all five of the herein exemplified finger-aperture designs are shown in accordance with the essential premise of functioning in critical alignment with the spatial-void 14V prevailing between the foremost quad-cluster 14Q per FIG. 3A. Accordingly, FIGS. 3B & 3C represent the most rudimentary finger-aperture embodiments 16' accepting of one and two fingers respectively, as they are both simply factory pre-punched through-holes having no closure tab; the version of FIG. 3B being an approximate 1-inch diameter hole (accommodating the index-finger of a 90%-tile man), while the version of FIG. 3C is an elliptical hole measuring approximately 3/4-inch×13/4-inch (accommodating the fingers of an approximate 90%-tile person). Alternately, each of the remaining three design examples of finger-aperture 16'' are similar yet are not formed open at the factory, but rather remain closed on the retail-shelf, until punched-open by the shopper prior to removal of the carton from the retail-shelf. Although not mandatory, it is preferred that the tabs 16''c employ the neatly defined scoring of crease-line 16''s as to thereby enhance the tab's inward hinging action dependently down from top-panel when perforation 16''p is avulsed as shown in subsequent FIG. 4A.

[0060] There remain subtle, however vital other features and differences which are to become herein more evident and understood as important aspects. For example, FIG. 4A shows at least one of the fingers of shopper's left-hand 15L has punched open finger-aperture tab 16''Tc and has now probed down into the juxtaposed quadrant of the four foremost vertical beverage-cans 14Q and against open-tab 16''To which has become hinged down dependently from the carton's top-panel 10t into the heretofore unused spatial-void region 14V. Note that the shopper's finger has effectively formed an L-shaped finger-snag L-hook 15h as to thereby `snag and drag` the carton 10'/10'' (ie: FIG. 4A may be depicting either a 12-pack or a 20-pack) outward from supporting store-shelf 13, thereby now leading us back to the earlier related action sequence of FIG. 1. Reference to companion FIG. 4B shows an exemplified finger-aperture 16''p which typically defines a loci-of-points precisely centered above the critical alignment centering point 16X exhibited also in FIG. 3A Note also in FIG. 4B how the punched down finger-aperture tab 16''To yields somewhat compliantly to pressure of one or more of the shopper's fingers bearing against the upper chime-region 14c of the two foremost adjacent beverage-cans 14, thereby making the tabbed versions of the EZ-Grab® finger-aperture somewhat more comfortable to use than the simpler tabless examples of FIG. 3B and 3C.

[0061] Thus, it is readily understood how the preferred and generic-variant embodiments of this invention contemplate performing functions in a novel way not heretofore available nor realized. It is implicit that the utility of the foregoing adaptations of this invention are not necessarily dependent upon any prevailing invention patent; and, while the present invention has been well described hereinbefore by way of certain illustrated embodiments, it is to be expected that various changes, alterations, rearrangements, and obvious modifications may be resorted to by those skilled in the art to which it relates, without substantially departing from the implied spirit and scope of the instant invention. Therefore, the invention has been disclosed herein by way of example, and not as imposed limitation, while the appended Claims set out the scope of the invention sought, and are to be construed as broadly as the terminology therein employed permits, reckoning that the invention verily comprehends every use of which it is susceptible. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or proprietary privilege is claimed, are defined as follows.

Claims

1.) An improvement for beverage-can cartons of the sort having a smooth imperforate top-surface posing difficulty for a shopper to acquire such carton from amongst a tightly stacked retail-store shelf; the improved carton comprising: a parallelpied arrangement of integrally formed paperboard panels imprinted exteriorily with brand-identification graphics and fold-scoring at appropriate intervals enabling it to extend substantially around the snugly grouped beverage-cans, thereby including a top-panel and an opposed bottom-panel, opposed left and right side-panels, a front-panel formed from a pair of opposed overlapping closure-flaps and an opposed rear-panel also formed from a pair of opposed overlapping closure-flaps; and a primarily perforated circular or oval tab formation having a partially scored portion thereto serving provisionally as a flexile hinge, whereto a shopper may punch-in said tab causing said perforation to avulse enabling said tab to hingedly depend into a vertical spatial-void centered thereunder owing the fixed quad-cluster grouping of vertically disposed beverage-can axes, as to thereby provide a novel finger-aperture means; whereto shopper may thus insert one or more fingers of their hand through said finger-aperture and down into said vertical spatial-void, and upon bending their inserted finger at the second-joint thereby effectively forming an L-shaped finger-snag means by which said carton is thereby acquired by slidably withdrawing the selected carton outward from the shelf-front to which the adjoining cartons remain aligned.

2.) The invention according to claim-1, wherein exposed said finger-aperture preferably measures approximately 11/2-inches long and approximately 3/4-inch wide, so as to thereby easily accommodate two fingers of an approximate 90%-tile person.

3.) The invention according to claim-1, wherein exposed said finger-aperture preferably measures approximately 1-inch in diameter, so as to thereby easily accommodate the index-finger of an approximate 95%-tile person.

4.) The invention according to claim-1, wherein exposed said finger-aperture's loci-of-points is critically centered precisely above the vertical-axes of said spatial-void created by the juxtaposed quadrant of four foremost vertical beverage-cans centered between said opposed left and right side-panels of the carton.

5.) The invention according to claim-1, wherein the loci-of-points center of said finger-aperture is set back approximately 2.6-inches from the upper leading-edge of the carton, while preferably centered between the carton's left and right side-panels.

6.) The invention according to claim-1, wherein said beverage-can carton may be of either the 12-pack or of the 20-pack type; said finger-aperture serving substantially the same function in either instance.

7.) The invention according to claim-1, wherein said finger-aperture may be used by the shopper in a manner of hand-grip which is characterized as a bowl's-grip, which is described as having two fingers staged within said finger-aperture, with their little-finger and index-finger laying astraddle said finger-aperture while preferably spaced apart therefrom upon said top-panel, and while their thumb us poised against said front-panel.

8.) The invention according to claim-1, wherein a coordinated use of both said finger-aperture provided upon said top-panel, and a conventional carry-handle existing upon the right side-panel is facilitated once the carton is approximately half-way withdrawn by the shopper's left-hand use of said finger-aperture, via additionally placing their right-hand fingers into the vertically oriented carry-handle of said right side-panel, whereupon exemplified shopper pulls the carton toward themself while rotating the carton 90-degrees, thereby facing the carry-handle upwardly as to enable the carton to be hoisted over to the basket of their shopping-cart with or without further assistance of their left-hand.

9.) The invention according to claim-1, wherein once said finger-aperture tooling modification is made, the entire said finger-aperture is achieved within the confines of the existing conventional paperboard blank, without incurring use of additional material, thereby imposing no significant factory-cost of producing the carton in volume quantity.

10.) The invention according to claim-5, wherein said finger-aperture is pre-punched at the packaging-factory, thereby making said finger-aperture open and thus more visually apparent and readily usable by the casual shopper.

11.) For a beverage-can carton of the 12-pack or 20-pack type having a smooth imperforate top-surface, whereto is now provided a device enabling a shopper to more readily acquire such a carton from amongst a tightly packed retail-store shelf; said apparatus comprising: a conventionally prefabricated paperboard blank pattern employing a parallelpied arrangement of integrally formed and fold-scored panels which are proportioned to extend intimately around the snugly grouped beverage-cans, including a substantially perforated oval tab formation having a partially scored portion thereto serving provisionally as a flexile hinge when a shopper punches-in said tab causing said perforation to avulse enabling said tab to hingedly depend into a spatial-void centered thereunder owing the fixed quad-grouping of vertically disposed beverage-can axes, as to thereby provide a novel finger-aperture means; and whereto shopper may thus insert one or more fingers of their hand through said finger-aperture and down into said vertical spatial-void, and upon bending their inserted finger at an approximate right-angle, shopper is thereby able to effectively finger-snag the carton and selectively slide it outward from the shelf-front.

12.) The invention according to claim-11, wherein exposed said finger-aperture preferably measures approximately 11/2-inches long and approximately 3/4-inch wide, so as to thereby easily accommodate two fingers of an approximate 90%-tile person.

13. The invention according to claim-11, wherein exposed said finger-aperture preferably measures approximately 1-inch in diameter, so as to thereby easily accommodate the index-finger of an approximate 95%-tile person.

14.) The invention according to claim-11, wherein exposed said finger-aperture's loci-of-points is critically centered exactly above the vertical-axes of said spatial-void created by the juxtaposed quadrant of four foremost vertical beverage-cans centered between the carton's opposed left and right side-panels.

15.) The invention according to claim-11, wherein the loci-of-points center of said finger-aperture is set back approximately 21/4-inches from the upper leading-edge of the carton, while preferably centered between the carton's left and right side-panels.

16.) The invention according to claim-11, wherein said finger-aperture may be used by the shopper in a manner of hand-grip which is characterized as a bowl's-grip, which is described as having two fingers staged within said finger-aperture, with their little-finger and index-finger laying astraddle said finger-aperture while preferably spaced apart therefrom upon said top-panel, and while their thumb us poised against said front-panel.

17.) The invention according to claim-11, wherein a coordinated use of both said finger-aperture provided upon said top-panel, and a conventional carry-handle existing upon the right side-panel is facilitated once the carton is approximately half-way withdrawn by the shopper's left-hand use of said finger-aperture, via additionally placing their right-hand fingers into the vertically oriented carry-handle of said right side-panel, whereupon exemplified shopper pulls the carton toward themself while rotating the carton 90-degrees, thereby facing the carry-handle upwardly as to enable the carton to be hoisted over to the basket of their shopping-cart with or without further assistance of their left-hand.

18.) The invention according to claim-11, wherein once said finger-aperture tooling modification is made, the entire said finger-aperture is achieved within the confines of the existing conventional paperboard blank, without incurring use of additional material, thereby imposing no significant factory-cost of producing the carton in volume quantity.

19.) The invention according to claim-15, wherein said finger-aperture is pre-punched at the packaging-factory, thereby making said finger-aperture open and thus more visually apparent and readily usable by the casual shopper.

20.) A method enabling a shopper to acquire a conventional 12-pack or 20-pack beverage-can carton from amongst a tightly packed retail-store shelf; the method comprising: obtaining a conventionally prefabricated paperboard blank member to which brand-graphis are imprinted upon the outwardly facing surface thereof, and employing a parallelpied arrangement of integrally formed and fold-scored panels which are proportioned to extend intimately around the snugly grouped beverage-cans, thereby including a top-panel and an opposed bottom-panel, opposed left and right side-panels, a front-panel formed from a pair of opposed overlapping closure-flaps and an opposed rear-panel likewise formed from a pair of opposed overlapping closure-flaps; and installing a primarily perforated circular or oval tab formation having a partially scored portion thereto serving provisionally as a flexile hinge, whereto a shopper can punch-in said tab causing said perforation to avulse enabling said tab to hingedly depend into a vertical spatial-void centered precisely thereunder owing the fixed quad-grouping of vertically disposed beverage-can axes, thus providing a shopper accessible finger-aperture; whereto shopper thus inserts one or two fingers preferably of their left-hand through said finger-aperture and down into said vertical spatial-void, and thereupon bend their inserted finger at at an approximate right-angle shopper is able to form an L-hook shaped means by which to effectively finger-snag said carton and slide it substantially outward from amongst a tightly packed array of otherwise oft difficult to access cartons, thereby enabling subsequent right-hand access to the conventional carry-handle for coordinated left and right hand transfer of the carton of a shopping-cart.

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