Container Blank

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Containers for packaging articles of manufacture are indispensable in the present consumer-oriented society. Virtually all articles of manufacture necessitate convenient methods of bundling, transporting, storing, and displaying. As a result, the majority of articles of manufacture come packaged in one form or another of a container.

One of the primary objects of our increasingly service oriented economy is providing convenience to the consumer. In the packaging industry, this translates into providing effective, inexpensive, and flexible containers. A container further needs to be suitable for packaging, transporting, and storing the article of manufacture. Additionally, the container needs to be capable of protecting the article of manufacture from damage.

To accomplish these needs, a container may be solid, easy to stack, easily assembled or disassembled, and may contain, in addition to the base structure of the container itself, additional packaging materials to stabilize the article of manufacture and prevent its movement within the container. Furthermore, consumer information pamphlets relating to the article of manufacture may be housed within the container.

Such containers, however, can become inconvenient to the consumer following removal of the article of manufacture from the container. Most consumers look to dispose of the container, as well as any accompanying stabilizing packaging materials, information pamphlets, etc., whether as waste or as a recyclable material or place the container into storage for future usage. While a container can be disassembled from the container configuration and placed into a flat configuration, problems can arise in that the flat configuration may be an awkward size, cumbersome, have loose materials (such as the stabilizing packaging materials, information pamphlets, etc), and, if there is more than one disassembled container, be difficult to stack and group together in a flat configuration. Such problems can create difficulties for the consumer in relocating the disassembled container, or stack of containers, and any accompanying materials, from point A, the location of unpacking the article of manufacture, to point B, the location for storage or disposal as waste or as a recyclable material. Cumbersome and awkward materials may require the consumer to make multiple trips from point A to point B or the loose materials forming the container(s) and any accompanying packaging materials may separate from each other and scatter into disarray.

There remains a need for a container that can be disassembled from the container configuration and re-assembled into a smaller folded configuration that allows for improved handling by the consumer to another location for either storage or disposal. There remains a need for a container that can, in the flat configuration, providing housing to any accompanying packaging materials that were present in the container.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In various embodiments, a container blank can have foldable sheet material; a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction; a first major panel hingedly connected in the longitudinal direction to each of a first end wall and an opposing second end wall and hingedly connected in the transverse direction to each of a first side wall and an opposing second side wall; the first end wall is hingedly connected in the longitudinal direction to a first end reinforcing wall and the second end wall is hingedly connected in the longitudinal direction to a second end reinforcing wall; the first side wall is hingedly connected in the transverse direction to a first side reinforcing wall and the second side wall is hingedly connected in the transverse direction to a second major panel; the second major panel is hingedly connected in the transverse direction to a closure panel; and a folded configuration wherein a first portion of the first side reinforcing wall is in an overlapping configuration with a first portion of the second side wall and a second portion of the first side reinforcing wall is in an overlapping configuration with a portion of the first major panel; the closure panel is in an overlapping configuration with the first sidewall; and a first portion of the second major panel is in an overlapping configuration with a second portion of the second side wall and a second portion of the second major panel is in an overlapping configuration with the first reinforcing wall.

In various embodiments, in the folded configuration, the first end reinforcing wall is in an overlapping configuration with the first end wall and the second end reinforcing wall is in an overlapping configuration with the second end wall. In various embodiments, in the folded configuration, the first side wall is hingedly connected in the longitudinal direction to each of a first end tab of the first side wall and an opposing second end tab of the first side wall wherein the first end tab of the first side wall is in an overlapping configuration with a portion of the first end reinforcing wall and the second end tab of the first side wall is in an overlapping configuration with a portion of the second end reinforcing wall. In various embodiments, the second major panel is hingedly connected in the longitudinal direction to a first end tab of the second major panel and an opposing second end tab of the second major panel. In various embodiments, in the folded configuration, a portion of the first end tab of the second major panel is located between a portion of the first end wall and a portion of the first end reinforcing wall and wherein in the folded configuration a portion of the second end tab of the second major panel is located between a portion of the second end wall and a portion of the second end reinforcing wall. In various embodiments, the first end reinforcing wall has an edge extending in the longitudinal direction and aligned with the hinge connecting the first major panel to the second side wall wherein the edge of the first end reinforcing wall has a notch. In various embodiments, the second end reinforcing wall has an edge extending in the longitudinal direction and aligned with the hinge connecting the first major panel to the second side wall wherein the edge of the second end reinforcing wall has a notch. In various embodiments, at least one of the first end tab of the second major panel or the second end tab of the second major panel defines an opening.

In various embodiments, the first major panel has a first width dimension in the transverse direction, the second major panel has a second width dimension in the transverse direction, the first side wall has a third width dimension in the transverse direction, the first reinforcing side wall has a fourth width dimension in the transverse direction, and the second side wall has a fifth width dimension in the transverse direction, wherein the first width dimension and the second with dimension are the same, and wherein the third width dimension, the fourth width dimension, and the fifth width dimension are the same as each other, but wherein the third width dimension, fourth width dimension, and fifth width dimension are less than the first width dimension and the second width dimension. In various embodiments, the third width dimension, the fourth width dimension, and the fifth width dimension are each two-thirds of the first width dimension and the second width dimension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an illustration of an embodiment of a container blank for forming the container of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3-5 are plan views of illustrations of the container blank of FIG. 2 with various portions of the container blank folded into overlapping configurations.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are plan views of illustrations of embodiments of the container blank of FIG. 2 in a folded and locked configuration.

FIG. 6C is a close-up view of a portion of the container blank of FIG. 6A.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are plan views of illustrations of embodiments of the container blank of FIG. 2 in a folded and locked configuration.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an illustration of an embodiment of a container blank for forming a container.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an illustration of the container blank of FIG. 8 with portions folded into an overlapping configuration.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed towards a container blank which can be utilized to form a container capable of packaging, transporting, and/or storing any type of article of manufacture placed within the container. Furthermore, following removal of the article of manufacture from the container, the container can be disassembled from the container configuration and back into the planar container blank configuration. The planar container blank configuration can then be assembled into a folded configuration that is different from the container configuration and which is smaller and generally flat to allow for either storage or disposable of the container blank. Such a smaller and generally flat configuration may not allow for the storage of an article of manufacture within such a configuration but may allow for the storage/carriage/disposal of the container blank and any accompanying packaging materials, information pamphlets, etc.

FIG. 1 provides an illustration of an embodiment of a container 220. The container 220 can be formed from a container blank 10, such as, for example, illustrated in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2-9. The container 220 is illustrated in an open and empty configuration. Such an open and empty configuration can be present either prior to the placement of an article of manufacture into the container 220 or after the removal of an article of manufacture from the container 220.

The container 220 can have a first major panel 12. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the first major panel 12 can have a first major surface 14 facing the interior volume of the container 220.

The first major panel 12 can be planar and can extend in the longitudinal direction (L) and the transverse direction (T) of the container 220. In the longitudinal direction (L) of the container 220, the first major panel 12 can be hingedly connected to a first end wall 20 and a second end wall 40. Referring to FIG. 1, the first end wall 20 and the second end wall 40 are parallel to each other, the first end wall 20 extends from fold 28 and is perpendicular to the first major panel 12, and the second end wall 40 extends from fold 48 and is also perpendicular to the first major panel 12. The first end wall 20 can further, in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container 220, be hingedly connected to a first end reinforcing wall 30. In the container configuration, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, a fold 38 can cause the first end reinforcing wall 30 to fold downwards into the interior of the container 220 wherein the first end reinforcing wall 30 is also perpendicular to the first major panel 12 of the container 220. In the container configuration, the first end reinforcing wall 30 has a first major surface 34 in a face-to-face relationship with a first major surface 24 of the first end wall 20. The first end reinforcing wall 30 has a second major surface 36 facing the interior volume of the container 220 while the first end wall 20 has a second major surface 26 facing exterior to the container 220. The first end wall 20, therefore, is an exterior facing wall of the container 220 while the first end reinforcing wall 30 is an interior facing wall of the container 220. The second end wall 40 can further, in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container 220, be hingedly connected to a second end reinforcing wall 50. In the container configuration, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, a fold 58 can cause the second end reinforcing wall 50 to fold downwards into the interior of the container 220 wherein the second end reinforcing wall 50 is also perpendicular to the first major panel 12 of the container 220. In the container configuration, the second end reinforcing wall 50 has a first major surface 54 in a face-to-face relationship with a first major surface 44 of the second end wall 40. The second end reinforcing wall 50 has a second major surface 56 facing the interior volume of the container 220 while the second end wall 40 has a second major surface 46 facing exterior to the container 220. The second end wall 40, therefore, is an exterior facing wall of the container 220 while the second end reinforcing wall 50 is an interior facing wall of the container 220.

In the transverse direction (T) of the container 220, the first major panel 12 can be hingedly connected to a first side wall 60 and a second side wall 90. Referring to FIG. 1, the first side wall 60 and the second side wall 90 are parallel to each other, the first side wall 60 extends from fold 68 and is perpendicular to the first major panel 12, and the second side wall 90 extends from fold 96 and is also perpendicular to the first major panel 12. The first side wall 60 can further, in the transverse direction (T) of the container 220, be hingedly connected to a first side reinforcing wall 70. In the container configuration, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, a fold 78 can cause the first side reinforcing wall 70 to fold downwards into the interior of the container 220 wherein the first side reinforcing wall 70 is also perpendicular to the first major panel 12 of the container 220. In the container configuration, the first side reinforcing wall 70 has a first major surface 74 in a face-to-face relationship with a first major surface 64 of the first side wall 60. The first side reinforcing wall 70 has a second major surface 76 facing the interior volume of the container 220 while the first side wall 60 has a second major surface 66 facing exterior to the container 220. The first side wall 60, therefore, is an exterior facing wall of the container 220 while the first side reinforcing wall 70 is an interior facing wall of the container 220.

Unlike each of the first end wall 20, second end wall 40, and first side wall 60, the second side wall 90 is not hingedly connected to a reinforcing wall. Rather, the second side wall 90 can, in the transverse direction (T) of the container 220, be hingedly connected to a second major panel 110. In the container configuration, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, a fold 118 can cause the second major panel 110 to fold in either an upwards or downwards direction to either open or close, respectively, the container 220. The second major panel 110 can, therefore, form the sixth side to fully enclose the interior volume of the container 220. To assist with enclosing the interior volume of the container 220 and to potentially provide additional stability to the article of manufacture contained within the container 220, the second major panel 110 can be hingedly connected, in the longitudinal direction (L), to end tab 120 via hinge line 122 and to end tab 130 via hinge line 132. When the container 220 is in a closed configuration, end tabs, 120 and 130, can be positioned in the interior volume of the container 220 and abut the first end reinforcing wall 30 and the second end reinforcing wall 50, respectively. When the container is in a closed configuration the second major panel 110 will be parallel with and spaced apart from the first major panel 12. Similar to the first major panel 12, the second major panel 110 will be perpendicular to each of the first end wall 20, first reinforcing wall 30, second end wall 40, second reinforcing wall 50, first side wall 60, first side reinforcing wall 70, and the second side wall 90. The second major panel 110 can, in the transverse direction (T) be hingedly connected to a closure panel 140. When the container 220 is in the closed configuration, the closure panel 140 can be in an overlapping configuration with the exterior facing second major surface 66 of the first side wall 60.

In various embodiments, it may be desirable that the container 220 maintain itself in the container configuration. In such embodiments, at least the first side wall 60, the second side wall 90, and the closure panel 140 can be provided with end tabs. The first side wall 60 can be hingedly connected, in the longitudinal direction (L), to a first end tab 80 and a second end tab 84. When the first side wall 60 is positioned perpendicular to the first major panel 12 via fold 68, the first end tab 80 of the first side wall 60 can be positioned between the first end wall 20 and the first end reinforcing wall 30 while the second end tab 84 of the first side wall 60 can be positioned between the second end wall 40 and the second end reinforcing wall 50. The second side wall 90 can be hingedly connected, in the longitudinal direction (L), to a first end tab 100 and a second end tab 104. When the second side wall 90 is positioned perpendicular to the first major panel 12 via fold 96, the first end tab 100 of the second side wall 90 can be positioned between the first end wall 20 and the first end reinforcing wall 30 while the second end tab 104 of the second side wall 90 can be positioned between the second end wall 40 and the second end reinforcing wall 50. While first end tabs 80 and 100 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as not abutting each other when positioned between the first end wall 20 and the first end reinforcing wall 30, it is to be understood that the first end tabs 80 and 100 can be provided with any size dimension deemed suitable for maintaining the container 220 in the container configuration. Similarly, while the second end tabs 84 and 104 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as not abutting each other when positioned between the second end wall 40 and the second end reinforcing wall 50, it is to be understood that the second end tabs 84 and 104 can be provided with any size dimension deemed suitable for maintaining the container 220 in the container configuration. While the end tabs, 80, 84, 100, and 104, may be provided with any dimension deemed suitable for maintaining the container 220 in the container configuration, in various embodiments, the size dimension of each of the end tabs 80, 84, 100, and 104, will likely be small enough so that the first end tabs, 80 and 100, are not placed into an overlapping configuration with each other when positioned between the first end wall 20 and the first end reinforcing wall 30 and that the second end tabs, 84 and 104, are also not placed into an overlapping configuration with each other when positioned between the second end wall 40 and the second end reinforcing wall 50. Such an overlapping configuration may exert pressure on the first and second end reinforcing walls, 30 and 50, respectively, pushing the first and second end reinforcing walls, 30 and 50, away from their respective end walls, 20 and 40, resulting in a decreased ability of the container 220 to maintain the container configuration.

The closure panel 140 can be hingedly connected, in the longitudinal direction (L), to first closure tab 150 and second closure tab 154. When the container 220 is in the closed configuration, the closure panel 140 can be placed into an overlapping configuration with the first side wall 60 of the container 220. To maintain the container 220 in the closed configuration, the first closure tab 150 can be positioned between the first end wall 20 and the first end reinforcing wall 30 wherein the first closure tab 150 is in an overlapping configuration with the first end tab 80 and the second closure tab 154 can be positioned between the second end wall 40 and the second end reinforcing wall 50 wherein the second closure tab 154 is in an overlapping configuration with the second end tab 84. While the overlapping configuration of the first closure tab 150 with the first end tab 80 and the overlapping configuration of the second closure tab 154 with the second end tab 84 may exert pressure against the first and second end reinforcing walls, 30 and 50, respectively, to push the first and second end reinforcing walls, 30 and 50, away from theft respective end walls, 20 and 40, the positioning of the first side reinforcing wall 70 can maintain the first and second end reinforcing walls, 30 and 50, in their correct positioning to maintain the container 220 in the container configuration.

When each of the first end wall 20, first end reinforcing wall 30, second end wall 40, second end reinforcing wall 50, first side wall 60, first side reinforcing wall 70, and second side wall 90 are each placed perpendicular to the first major panel 12, the container 220 can have an overall length dimension in the longitudinal direction (L), an overall width dimension in the transverse direction (T), and an overall height dimension in the depth direction (D). Such length dimension, width dimension, and height dimension can provide the container 220 with the interior volume suitable for receiving an article of manufacture and any other accompanying packaging materials or information pamphlets.

Referring to FIG. 2, a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a container blank 10 for forming the container 220 of FIG. 1 is illustrated wherein the container blank 10 is in a flat, planar, and unfolded configuration. In various embodiments, the container 220 can be formed from a container blank 10 of a foldable sheet material such as paperboard, coated cardboard, corrugated board, or any other appropriate material deemed suitable. The container blank 10 can have a first major panel 12 which has a first major surface 14. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first major panel 12 can be planar and can extend in the longitudinal direction (L) and the transverse direction (T). In the longitudinal direction (L) of the container blank 10, the first major panel 12 can be hingedly connected via hinge line 22 to a first end wall 20 and via hinge line 42 to a second end wall 40. When the container blank 10 is assembled into the container 220, hinge line 22 will form fold 28 and hinge line 42 will form fold 48. The first end wall 20 can further, in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container blank 10, be hingedly connected via hinge line 32 to the first end reinforcing wall 30. When the first end reinforcing wall 30 is folded the hinge line 32 will form fold 38. The second end wall 40 can further, in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container blank 10, be hingedly connected via hinge line 52 to the second end reinforcing wall 50. When the second end reinforcing wall 50 is folded the hinge line 52 will form fold 58.

In the transverse direction (T) of the container blank 10, the first major panel 12 can be hingedly connected via hinge line 62 to the first side wall 60 and via hinge line 92 to the second side wall 90. When the first side wall 60 is folded, hinge line 62 will form fold 68 and when the second side wall is folded, hinge line 92 will form fold 96. The first side wall 60 can further, in the transverse direction (T) of the container blank 10, be hingedly connected via hinge line 72 to the first side reinforcing wall 70. When the first side reinforcing wall 70 is folded the hinge line 72 will form fold 78. The second side wall 90 can, in the transverse direction (T) of the container blank 10, be hingedly connected via hinge line 112 to the second major panel 110. When the second major panel 110 is folded the hinge line 112 will form fold 118. The second major panel 110 can, in the transverse direction (T) be hingedly connected via hinge line 142 to the closure panel 140. When the closure panel 140 is folded hinge line 142 will form a fold.

The first major panel 12 can have a width dimension W1 in the transverse direction (T) and the second major panel 110 can have a width dimension W5 in the transverse direction (T) wherein each of width dimension W1 and width dimension W5 are the same. The first side wall 60, the first side reinforcing wall 70, the second side wall 90 and the closure panel 140 can each have a width dimension, W2, W3, W4, and W6, respectively, in the transverse direction (T). Each of the width dimensions, W2, W3, and W4, can be the same. In various embodiments, each of the width dimensions, W2, W3, and W4, can be the same but are smaller than the width dimensions, W1 and W5, of the first major panel 12 and the second major panel 110, respectively. In various embodiments, the width dimensions, W2, W3, and W4, are two-thirds of the width dimensions, W1 and W5. In various embodiments, the width dimension W6 of the closure panel 140 can be the same as the width dimension W2 of the first side wall 60. In various embodiments, the width dimension W6 of the closure panel 140 can be smaller than the width dimension W2 of the first side panel 60.

In various embodiments, it may be desirable to assemble the container blank 10 into a smaller and generally flat folded configuration for storage or transport to a location for disposable. FIGS. 3-5 provide exemplary illustrations of the folding process of converting the larger container blank 10 into a smaller and generally flat folded configuration. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the container blank 10 wherein the first end reinforcing wall 30 has been folded over and into an overlapping configuration with the first end wall 20 forming fold 38 and placing the first major surface 34 of the first end reinforcing wall 30 into a face-to-face relationship with the first major surface 24 of the first end wall 20. Additionally, the second end reinforcing wall 50 has been folded over and into an overlapping configuration with the second end wall 40 forming fold 58 and placing the first major surface 54 of the second end reinforcing wall 50 into a face-to-face relationship with the first major surface 44 of the second end wall 40. Folding the first end reinforcing wall 30 over the first end wall 20 and folding the second end reinforcing wall 50 over the second end wall 40 can reduce the largest length dimension, in the longitudinal direction (L), of the container blank 10. FIG. 4 provides an exemplary illustration wherein the first side wall 60 has been folded to form fold 68. Forming fold 68 repositions the first side wall 60 such that the first major surface 64 of the first side wall 60 is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the first major surface 14 of the first major panel 12 and also repositions the first side reinforcing wall 70 so that a portion of the first major surface 74 of the first side reinforcing wall 70 is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the first major surface 94 of the second side wall 90 and so that another portion of the first major surface 74 of the first side reinforcing wall 70 is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the first major surface 14 of the first major panel 12. As illustrated in FIG. 4, forming fold 68 can reduce the overall width dimension, in the transverse direction (T), of the container blank 10. Referring to FIG. 5, it is illustrated that the overall width dimension, in the transverse direction (T), of the container blank 10 can be further reduced by forming fold 118 and repositioning the second major panel 110 such that a portion of the first major surface 114 of the second major panel 110 is in a face-to-face relationship with the first major surface 94 of the second side wall 90 and a second portion of the first major surface 114 of the second major panel 110 is in a face-to-face relationship with the second major surface 76 of the first side reinforcing wall 70. Forming fold 118 also brings the closure panel 140 into an overlapping configuration with the first side wall 60 wherein the first major surface 144 of the closure panel 140 is in a face-to-face relationship with the second major surface 66 of the first side wall 60. Additionally, a portion of the first major surface 124 of end tab 120 is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface 36 of the first end reinforcing wall 30 and a portion of the first major surface 134 of end tab 130 is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface 56 of the second end reinforcing wall 50.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the container blank 10 has been re-assembled into a smaller and generally flat configuration enabling easier storage and/or transport of the container blank 10. While the container blank 10 has been re-assembled into a more convenient size and shape for the consumer, in various embodiments, it may be desired to lock the container blank 10 into the smaller and generally flat configuration such that it won't unfold on its own during storage or transport.

Referring to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, an embodiment of an exemplary locked configuration is illustrated. As discussed herein, following the formation of fold 118, a portion of the first major surface 124 of end tab 120 is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface 36 of the first end reinforcing wall 30 and a portion of the first major surface 134 of end tab 130 is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface 56 of the second end reinforcing wall 50. As illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, an embodiment of locking the container blank 10 can include repositioning the end tab 120 so that a portion of end tab 120 is sandwiched between the first end wall 20 and the first end reinforcing wall 30 and repositioning the end tab 130 so that a portion of end tab 130 is sandwiched between the second end wall 40 and the second end reinforcing wall 50. The repositioning of the end tab 120 can occur, for example, by elevating edge 160 of the first end reinforcing wall 30 high enough out of plane to allow for a portion of end tab 120 to go under the first end reinforcing wall 30 and be re-positioned between the first end wall 20 and the first end reinforcing wall 30. Following this re-positioning of a portion of the end tab 120, the portion of the first major surface 124 of end tab 120 that was in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface 36 of the first end reinforcing wall 30 will now be in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the first major surface 24 of the first end wall 20 and a portion of the second major surface 126 of the end tab 120 will now be in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the first major surface 34 of the first end reinforcing wall 30. A close-up view of this locked configuration is provided in the example illustrated in FIG. 6C. A similar re-positioning of end tab 130 can take place wherein edge 164 of the second end reinforcing wall 50 is elevated high enough out of plane to allow for a portion of end tab 130 to go under the second end reinforcing wall 50 and be re-positioned between the second end wall 40 and the second end reinforcing wall 50 such that a portion of the first major surface 134 of end tab 130 that was in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface 56 of the second end reinforcing wall 50 will now be in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the first major surface 44 of the second end wall 40 and a portion of the second major surface 136 of the end tab 130 will now be in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the first major surface 54 of the second end reinforcing wall 50.

In various embodiments, to facilitate elevation of edges, 160 and 164, out of plane, each of the edges, 160 and 164, can have a notch, such as notches 162 and 166, respectively, which can provide a consumer with the ability to grasp the material forming the first end reinforcing wall 30 and the second end reinforcing wall 50, without also grabbing the material forming the first end wall 20 and the second end wall 40. Examples of such notches, 162 and 166, are illustrated in FIG. 6B. The notches, 162 and 166, can be any size and shape deemed suitable to accommodate a consumer extending at least a single finger (such as a pointer finger) through the opening created by a notch, 162 or 166, and pinching the material between the pointer finger and the consumers thumb of the same handle and applying a pulling force on the material to elevate edges 160 and 164 out of plane.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7A, in various embodiments, it may be deemed suitable to provide the container blank 10 with at least one opening in the material forming the container blank 10 to facilitate the carrying and transport of the folded configuration container blank 10 by the consumer. Each opening can be of any size and shape deemed suitable to facilitate the carrying and transport of the folded configuration container blank 10. Examples of various suitable shapes of the opening can include, but is not limited to, square, rectangle, circle, oval, elliptical, etc. The opening should be provided in the material forming the container blank 10 in a location which will be readily accessible to the consumer following the re-assembly of the container blank 10 into the smaller and generally flat configuration. In various embodiments, the container blank 10 can have at least one opening. In various embodiments, the container blank 10 can have at least 1, 2, 3, or 4 openings. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments provided in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the container blank 10 has two openings, 170 and 172, which are located on the end tabs, 120 and 130, respectively, hingedly attached to the second major panel 110. Each opening, 170 and 172, is illustrated in a portion of each respective end tab, 120 and 130, wherein the material forming the end tab, 120 or 130, is not in an overlapping configuration with any other material forming the carton blank 10.

As described herein, containers for packaging articles of manufacture can contain not only the article of manufacture but also additional packaging material which can prevent shifting of the article of manufacture within the container and prevent damage to the article of manufacture, as well as informational pamphlets. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, such additional packaging material 210 and information pamphlets can be placed on top of the container blank 10 when in its completed unfolded and planar configuration and can then be housed within the re-folded, smaller, and generally flat folded configuration following the folding of the container blank 10 into the smaller generally flat configuration.

In the interests of brevity and conciseness, any ranges of values set forth in this disclosure contemplate all values within the range and are to be construed as support for claims reciting any sub-ranges having endpoints which are whole number values within the specified range in question. By way of hypothetical example, a disclosure of a range of from 1 to 5 shall be considered to support claims to any of the following ranges 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; 1 to 2; 2 to 5; 2 to 4; 2 to 3; 3 to 5; 3 to 4; and 4 to 5.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

All documents cited in the Detailed Description are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any documents is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments described above should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

Container Blank

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