PRISM SHAPED BOX, BLANK FOR FORMING SAME, AND METHOD OF FOLDING SAME

Abstract

A blank for forming a prism shaped box, the blank having nine panels coupled to each other longitudinally. A prism shaped box formed from the blank. A method of forming the prism shaped box by the steps of a) providing the blank, b) lifting and curving the first three panels inwards, towards the interior surfaces of the sixth, seventh and eighth panels, until the outer edge of the first panel touches the sixth fold line between the sixth and seventh panels, c) curving and folding the seventh, eighth and ninth panels in an opposite direction to overlap the first three panels, such that the exterior surfaces of the first three panels align with the interior surfaces of the seventh, eighth and ninth panels, respectively, d) attaching the ninth panel to the first panel, e) folding the bottom flaps inward, and f) folding the top flaps inward.

Description

BACKGROUND

Many users consume snack foods, and a current problem faced by users is how to portion control, share, and dispense the snack foods from the packaging without touching the remaining food contents in the packaging. It can be hard to control the speed and amount of food being dispensed from boxes and bags with open tops.

Moreover, it can be difficult to re-seal the box and/or bag when the user is done snacking. Known box designs have perforated openings that are not re-closable, or cannot be opened and closed in repetition.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved box with an ergonomic, prism shaped design that distinguishes a brand and its products from competitors.

SUMMARY

The present invention satisfies this need. In a first embodiment, the present invention is directed to a blank for forming a prism shaped box. The blank has an interior surface and an exterior surface and comprises a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, a fourth panel, a fifth panel, a sixth panel, a seventh panel, an eighth panel and a ninth panel.

The first panel has an outer edge.

The second panel is foldably connected along a first side to the first panel, forming a first fold line. The second panel has a front insertion flap removably coupled to a top end portion of the second panel via perforation and a first top major flap foldably coupled to a top end portion of the front insertion flap, the first top major flap forming a first pull tab.

The third panel is foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the second panel, forming a second fold line, and has a first bottom major flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the third panel.

The fourth panel is foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the third panel, forming a third fold line, and has a first bottom minor flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the fourth panel, and a first top minor flap foldably coupled to a top portion of the third panel and a top portion of the fourth panel.

The fifth panel is foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the fourth panel, forming a fourth fold line, and has a second top major flap foldably coupled to a top portion of the fifth panel, wherein the second top major flap forms a second pull tab.

The sixth panel is foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the fifth panel, forming a fifth fold line, and has a second bottom major flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the sixth panel.

The seventh panel is foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the sixth panel, forming a sixth fold line, and has a second bottom minor flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the seventh panel, and, a second top minor flap foldably coupled to a top portion of the sixth panel and a top portion of the seventh panel.

The eighth panel is foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the seventh panel, forming a seventh fold line. The eighth panel has at least one dispensing opening disposed therein and at least one notch disposed along a top edge of the eighth panel.

The ninth panel is foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the eighth panel, forming an eighth fold line, and has at least one adhesive strip coupled to an interior surface of the ninth panel.

In a second embodiment, the present invention is directed to a prism shaped box formed from the blank.

In a third embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of folding a blank to form a prism shaped box. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing the blank, wherein the blank is oriented with its interior surface facing up; b) lifting and curving the first, second and third panels inwards, towards the interior surfaces of the sixth, seventh and eighth panels, until the outer edge of the first panel touches the sixth fold line between the sixth and seventh panels; c) curving and folding the seventh, eighth and ninth panels in an opposite direction to overlap the first, second and third panels, such that the exterior surfaces of the first, second and third panels align with the interior surfaces of the seventh, eighth and ninth panels, respectively; d) attaching the interior surface of the ninth panel to the exterior surface of the first panel using the at least one adhesive strip; e) folding the bottom minor flaps inward; f) folding the bottom major flaps inward, overlapping the folded bottom minor flaps; g) adhering the interior surface of the bottom major flaps to the outside surface of the bottom minor flaps; h) folding the top minor flaps inward; i) folding the top major flaps inward, overlapping the folded top minor flaps; and j) adhering the interior surface of the top major flaps to the exterior surface of the top minor flaps.

In a fourth embodiment, the present invention is directed to a blank for forming a prism shaped box, the blank having an interior surface and an exterior surface and comprises a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, a fourth panel, a fifth panel, a sixth panel, a seventh panel, an eighth panel and a ninth panel.

The first panel has an outer edge.

The second panel is foldably connected along a first side to the first panel, forming a first fold line. The second panel has a front insertion flap removably coupled to a top end portion of the second panel via perforation, and, a first top major flap foldably coupled to a top end portion of the front insertion flap, the first top major flap forming a first pull tab.

The third panel is foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the second panel, forming a second fold line, and has a first bottom minor flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the third panel, the first bottom minor flap having a first rounded projection.

The fourth panel is foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the third panel, forming a third fold line. The fourth panel has a first bottom major flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the fourth panel, the first bottom major flap having two spaced apart projections and a recess disposed between the projection, and, a first top minor flap foldably coupled to a top portion of the third panel and a top portion of the fourth panel, the first top minor flap having a central fold line that is longitudinally aligned with the third fold line.

The fifth panel is foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the fourth panel, forming a fourth fold line, and has a second top major flap foldably coupled to a top portion of the fifth panel, the second top major flap forming a second pull tab.

The sixth panel is foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the fifth panel, forming a fifth fold line, and has a second bottom minor flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the sixth panel, the second bottom minor flap having a second round projection that mirrors the shape of the first rounded projection.

The seventh panel is foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the sixth panel, forming a sixth fold line. The seventh panel has a second bottom major flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the seventh panel, the second bottom major flap having a tapered free end, and, a second top minor flap foldably coupled to a top portion of the sixth panel and a top portion of the seventh panel, the second top minor flap having a central fold line that is longitudinally aligned with the sixth fold line.

The eighth panel is foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the seventh panel, forming a seventh fold line. The eighth panel has at least one dispensing opening disposed therein, and, at least one notch disposed along a top edge of the eighth panel.

The ninth panel is foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the eighth panel, forming an eighth fold line, and has at least one adhesive strip coupled to an interior surface of the ninth panel.

In a fifth embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of folding a blank to form a prism shaped box, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the blank, wherein the blank is oriented with its interior surface facing up; b) lifting and curving the first, second and third panels inwards, towards the interior surfaces of the sixth, seventh and eighth panels, until the outer edge of the first panel touches the sixth fold line between the sixth and seventh panels; c) curving and folding the seventh, eighth and ninth panels in an opposite direction to overlap the first, second and third panels, such that the exterior surfaces of the first, second and third panels align with the interior surfaces of the seventh, eighth and ninth panels, respectively; d) attaching the interior surface of the ninth panel to the exterior surface of the first panel using the at least one adhesive strip; e) folding the first bottom major flap inward; f) folding the two bottom minor flaps inward, overlapping the folded first bottom major flap, creating an opening; g) folding the second bottom major flap inward and inserting the free end of the second bottom major flap into the opening; h) folding the top minor flaps inward; i) folding the top major flaps inward, overlapping the folded top minor flaps; and j) adhering the interior surface of the top major flaps to the exterior surface of the top minor flaps.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a blank used to form a prism shaped box having features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a first step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a second step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the partially folded blank of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the partially folded blank of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the partially folded blank of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an additional top perspective view of the partially folded blank of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of a third step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a fourth step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a fifth step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a sixth step in folding the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the folded prism shaped box after the sixth step in folding is completed;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the folded prism shaped box of FIG. 12, having features of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the prism shaped box of FIG. 13, wherein the front flap has been lifted open;

FIG. 15 is top plan view of a second embodiment of a blank used to form a prism shaped box having features of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the bottom of the blank of FIG. 15 showing a first step in forming the bottom of the box, wherein the first bottom major flap has been folded inward;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the bottom of the blank of FIG. 15 showing a second step in forming the bottom of the box, wherein the two, bottom, minor flaps have been folded inward, overlapping the first bottom major flap;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the bottom of the blank of FIG. 15 showing a third step in forming the bottom of the box, wherein the second, major bottom flap has been folded over the other folded flaps and has interlocked with the recess of the first major bottom flap;

FIG. 19 is a front plan view of the partially folded blank of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the partially folded blank of FIG. 15.

DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings given below, unless a different meaning is clearly intended by the context in which such term is used.

The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar referents used herein are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless their usage in context indicates otherwise.

As used in this disclosure, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers ingredients or steps.

All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any system, any device or part of a device disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a top plan view of a first embodiment of a blank 100 used to form a prism shaped box 150, wherein an inside surface of the blank 100, and its foldably connected, longitudinal panels, are shown.

The blank 100 comprises at least nine, foldably connected panels: a first panel 102, a second panel 104, a third panel 106, a fourth panel 108, a fifth panel 110, a sixth panel 112, a seventh panel 114, an eighth panel 116, and a ninth panel 118.

The first panel 102 is a side panel that is configured to mirror at least a portion of the shape of the seventh panel 114. The first panel 102 is foldably connected to one side of the second panel 104 via fold line 103A.

The second panel 104 is configured to mirror at least portion of the shape of the eight panel 116, and when the blank is folded, forms a first front panel. The second panel 104 is foldably connected along a first side to the first panel 102 (via fold line 103A), and foldably connected along a second side to the third panel 106 via fold line 103B. The second panel 104 has a front insertion flap 120 removably coupled to a top end portion of the second panel 104 thereto via perforation 142. Foldably coupled to a top end portion of the insertion flap 120 is a first, top, major flap 121.

The third panel 106 is another side panel that is configured to mirror at least a portion of the shape of the ninth panel 118. The third panel 106 has a first, bottom, major flap 122 foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the third panel 106. The third panel 106 is foldably connected along a first side to the second panel 104 via second fold line 103B, and foldably connected along a second side to the fourth panel 108 via third fold line 103C.

The fourth panel 108 is foldably connected along third fold line 103C to the third panel, and foldably connected to the fifth panel 110 along fourth fold line 103D. The fourth panel 108 has a first, bottom, minor flap 124 foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the fourth panel 108.

Both the third panel 106 and the fourth panel 108 form a first, two-faceted side to the box 150 when folded, and have a shared first, top, minor flap 126 foldably coupled to both a top portion of the third panel 106 and a top portion of the fourth panel 108.

The fifth panel 110 forms the rear panel of the box 150 when the blank 100 is folded, and the fifth panel 110 has a second, top, major flap 128 foldably coupled thereto. The fifth panel 110 is foldably connected along a first side to the fourth panel 108 via fourth fold line 103D, and foldably connected along a second side to the sixth panel 112 via fifth fold line 103E.

The sixth panel 112 forms a side panel of the box 150 when the blank 100 is folded, and the sixth panel has a second, bottom, major flap 130 foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the sixth panel 112. The sixth panel 112 is foldably connected along a first side to the fifth panel 110 via fifth fold line 103E, and foldably connected along a second side to the seventh panel 114 via sixth fold line 103F.

The seventh panel 114 is foldably connected along a first side to the sixth panel 112 along sixth fold line 103F and foldably connected along a second side to the eight panel 116 along seventh fold line 103G. The seventh panel 114 also forms a side panel of the box 150 when the blank 100 is folded, and the seventh panel 114 has a second, bottom, minor flap 132 foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the seventh panel 114.

Both the sixth and seventh panels 112, 114 form a second, two-faceted side to the box 150, and have a second, top, minor flap 134 foldably coupled to a top portion of the sixth panel 112 and a top portion of the seventh panel 114.

The eighth panel 116 forms the front of the box 150 when the blank 100 is folded, and overlies the second panel 104. The eighth panel 116 has at least one dispensing opening 136 through which the contents of the box 150 can be dispensed/poured out of, and at least one notch 148 is disposed along a top edge of the eighth panel 116. The eighth panel 116 is foldably connected along a first side to the seventh panel 114 via seventh fold line 103G, and foldably connected along a second side to the ninth panel 118 via eighth fold line 103H.

The ninth panel 118 is foldably connected along a first side to the eighth panel 116 via eighth fold line 103H, and has at least one glue strip applied to an interior surface of the eighth panel 116, or is configured for at least one glue strip to be applied to the interior surface of the eighth panel 116. When the blank 100 is folded to form the box 150, the interior surface of the ninth panel 118 folds over and glues to an outside surface of the third panel 106.

The order of folding the panels will now be discussed. The blank 100 is oriented as shown in FIG. 1, with its interior surface facing up. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the first, second and third panels 102, 104, 106 are lifted and curved inwards, towards the inside surfaces of the sixth, seventh and eighth panels 112, 114, 116, until the outer edge 138 of the first panel 102 touches the fold line 103F between the sixth and seventh panels 112, 114.

Referring now to FIG. 3, once the outer edge 138 is aligned with the fold line 103F, the seventh, eighth and ninth panels 114, 116, 118 are curved and folded in the opposite direction to overlap the first, second and third panels 102, 104, 106, such that the outside surfaces of the first, second and third panels 102, 104, 106 align with (and are mirror images of) the inside surfaces of the seventh, eighth and ninth panels 114, 116, 118, respectively. As noted above, the inside surface of the ninth panel 118 has at least one glue strip applied thereto, and is then glued to the outside surface of the first panel 102.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 7, once glued, the box 150 is now halfway formed in that all side, front and back panels are physically retained in their final position, but all of the minor and major flaps 121, 126, 128, 134 along the top of the box 150, and all the minor and major flaps 122, 124, 130, 132 along the bottom of the box 150 remained unfolded, and in the open position.

Referring now to FIG. 8, next, the bottom, minor flaps 124, 132 are first folded inward, and then, referring now to FIG. 9, the bottom, major flaps 122, 130 are also folded inward, overlapping the folded minor flap 124, 132. The major flaps 122, 130 are glued in that closed position.

Referring not to FIG. 10, now that the bottom of the box 150 is sealed closed, the box 150, in the upright position, can now be filled. Once filled with its contents, the open top box 150 is then closed, wherein the top minor flaps 126, 134 are folded inward first, (see FIGS. 10 and 11) and then the top, major flaps 121, 128 are folded inward (see FIG. 12), overlapping the folded minor flaps 126, 134. The top major flaps 121, 128 are glued in that closed position, and the box 150 is ready to be purchased and used by a consumer.

Referring now to FIG. 13, when the consumer receives the box 150, the box 150 is in its sealed position from the manufacturer. In order for the consumer to gain access to the contents of the box, the user must break the perforation 142 that couples the front insertion flap 120 to the second panel 104. They do this by lifting up on the pull tab 144A, 144B that is formed by the folding of the front flap 120 along fold line 146 and gluing the outer surface of major flap 121 to the inside surface of major flap 128. When the two major flaps 121, 128 are glued together, their pull tabs 144A, 144B are aligned and form a single pull tab that can be used by the consumer to lift insertion flap 120 and gain access to the contents of the box 150. Notch 148 is aligned with tabs 144A, 144B to provide space for the consumer to comfortably grip/lift the tabs 144A, 144B.

Referring now to FIG. 14, when flap 120 is lifted using tabs 144A, 144B, dispensing opening 126 is revealed, allowing the consumer to dispense the contents of the box 150 therethrough. When the consumer has finished dispensing, the flap 120 can be slide downwards and into the closed position, closing off dispensing opening 136 so that the contents of the box 150 cannot leave the box 150.

Referring now to FIG. 15, there is shown a top plan view of a second embodiment of a blank 200 used to form a prism shaped box 250, wherein an inside surface of the blank 200, and its foldably connected, longitudinal panels, are shown. The second embodiment 200 is different than the first embodiment 100 in that the second embodiment 200 has a locking bottom. This locking bottom is best seen in FIG. 18 and allows the second embodiment 200 to be properly configured for use on high-speed packaging assembly machines without requiring significant re-engineering of those machines.

The blank 200 comprises at least nine, foldably connected panels: a first panel 202, a second panel 204, a third panel 206, a fourth panel 208, a fifth panel 210, a sixth panel 212, a seventh panel 214, an eighth panel 216, and a ninth panel 218.

The first panel 202 is a side panel that is configured to mirror at least a portion of the shape of the seventh panel 214. The first panel 202 is foldably connected to along a second side to the second panel 204 via first fold line 203A.

The second panel 204 is configured to mirror at least portion of the shape of the eight panel 216, and when the blank is folded, forms a first front panel. The second panel 204 is foldably connected along a first side to the second side of the first panel 202 (via first fold line 203A), and foldably connected along a second side to the third panel 206 via second fold line 203B. A front insertion flap 220 is removably coupled to a top portion of the second panel 204 via perforation 242. Foldably coupled to a top portion of the insertion flap 220 is a first, top, major flap 221.

The third panel 206 is another side panel that is configured to mirror at least a portion of the shape of the ninth panel 218. The third panel 206 is foldably connected along a first side to the second side of the second panel 204 (via second fold line 203B), and foldably connected along a second side to a first side of the fourth panel 208 via third fold line 203C.

The first notable difference between the first embodiment 100 and the second embodiment 200 can be seen with the third panel 206. In the second embodiment 200, the third panel 206 has a first, bottom, minor flap 224 foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the third panel 206, whereas in the first embodiment 100, the third panel 106 has a first, bottom, major flap 122 foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the third panel 106. Additionally, in the second embodiment 200, the first, bottom, minor flap 224 has a unique shape with a rounded projection 225A.

The second notable difference between the first embodiment 100 and the second embodiment 200 can be seen with the fourth panel 208. In the second embodiment 200, the fourth panel 208 has a first, bottom, major flap 222 foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the fourth panel 208, whereas in the first embodiment 100, the fourth panel 108 has a first, bottom, minor flap 124 foldably coupled to the bottom portion of the fourth panel 108. Additionally, in the second embodiment, 200, the first, bottom, major flap 222 has a recess 237 and two projections 229A, 229B on either side of the recess 237.

Like the first embodiment 100, both the third and the fourth panels 206, 208 form a first, two-faceted side to the box 250 when folded, and have a shared first, top, minor flap 226 foldably coupled to a top portion of the third panel 206 and a top portion of the fourth panel 208. However, in the second embodiment 200, the first, top, minor flap 226 has a central fold line 227 that is longitudinally aligned with the third fold line 203C that joins the third and fourth panels 206, 208.

Like the first embodiment 100, the fifth panel 210 forms the rear panel of the box 250 when the blank 200 is folded, and the fifth panel 210 has a second, top, major flap 228 foldably coupled to a top portion of the fifth panel 210. The fifth panel 210 is foldably connected along a first side to the second side of the fourth panel 208 via a fourth fold line 203D, and foldably connected along a second side to a first side of the sixth panel 212 along fifth fold line 203E.

The next notable difference between the first embodiment 100 and the second embodiment 200 can be see with the sixth panel 212. In the second embodiment 200, the sixth panel 212 has a second, bottom, minor flap 232 foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the sixth panel 212, whereas in the first embodiment 100, the sixth panel 112 has a second, bottom, major flap 130 foldably coupled to the bottom portion of the sixth panel 112. The second, bottom, minor flap 232 also has a projection 225B and mirrors the shape of first, bottom, minor flap 224.

The sixth panel 212 is foldably connected along a first side to the second side of the fifth panel 210 via the sixth fold line 203F, and is foldably connected along a second side to the first side of the seventh panel 214 via seventh fold line 203G, and like the first embodiment 100, both the sixth and seventh panels 212, 214 form a second, two-faceted side to the box 250 when folded, and have a shared second, top, minor flap 234 foldably coupled to both a top portion of the sixth panel 212 and a top portion of the seventh panel 214. However, in the second embodiment 200, the second, top, minor flap 234 has a central fold line 235 that is longitudinally aligned with the sixth fold line 203F that joins the sixth and seventh panels 212, 214.

The next notable difference between the first embodiment 100 and the second embodiment 200 can be see with the seventh panel 214. In the second embodiment 200, the seventh panel 214 has a second, bottom, major flap 230 foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the seventh panel 214, whereas in the first embodiment 100, the seventh panel 114 has a second, bottom, minor flap 132 foldably coupled to the bottom portion of the seventh panel 114. In the second embodiment 200, the second, bottom, major flap 230 is somewhat triangular in shape with a wider bottom that is foldably coupled to the bottom portion of the seventh panel 214, and has a tapered free end 231.

Like the first embodiment 100, the eighth panel 216 forms the front of the box 250 when the blank 200 is folded, and overlies the second panel 204. The eighth panel 216 has at least one dispensing opening 236 through which the contents of the box 250 can be dispensed/poured out of, and at least one notch 248 along its top edge. The eighth panel 216 is foldably connected along a first to the second side of the seventh panel 214 via the seventh fold line 203G, and is foldably connected along s second side to the first side of the ninth panel 218 via eighth fold line 20311.

Like the first embodiment 100, the ninth panel 218 is foldably connected along one side to the eighth panel 216, and has at least one glue strip applied to the interior surface of the ninth panel 218, or is configured for at least one glue strip to be applied thereto. When the blank 200 is folded to form the box 250, the inside surface of the ninth panel 218 folds over and glues to an outside surface of the third panel 206.

The order of folding the panels of the second embodiment 200 is very similar to that of the first 100, and the basic steps shown in FIGS. 3 through 7 are the same for the second embodiment 200.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 through 18, the formation of the locking bottom of the box 250 is shown. In FIG. 16, there is shown a first step in forming the locking bottom of the box 250. The first, bottom, major flap 222 is folded inward.

Referring now to FIG. 17, there is shown a second step in forming the locking bottom of the box 250. The two bottom minor flaps 232, 224 and folded inward, overlapping the folded first bottom major flap 222. A small opening 233 is created by the recess 237 of the first bottom major flap 222 and the projections 225A, 225B of the two bottom minor flaps 224, 232.

Referring now to FIG. 18, there is shown a third step in forming the locking bottom of the box 250. The second, bottom, major flap 230 is folded inward and its tapered free end 231 is inserted into the opening 233, creating the locking bottom of the box 250.

The remaining steps to form the closed top of the box 250 are the same as shown in FIGS. 10 through 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20, the importance of the fold lines 227, 235 in the top minor flaps 226, 234 is shown. The fold lines 227, 235 are necessary to allow the second embodiment 200 to be utilized on a high-speed packaging assembly machine. In use, the blank 200 must be able to be compressed and lie in the partially folded, flat position shown in FIG. 19. If flaps 226, 234 did not have fold lines, blank 200 would not be able to lie in the flat position shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 20 provides a top plan view of the fold lines 227, 235 in action.

The blanks 100, 200 and therefore the boxes 150, 250, can be made from any standard material used for making boxes, such as paperboard, cardboard, corrugated materials, etc. The blanks 100, 200 and therefore the boxes 150, 250 can be any dimensions necessary to accommodate different sized products therein.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. The steps disclosed for the present methods, for example, are not intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step is necessarily essential to the method, but instead are exemplary steps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference.

Claims

1) A blank for forming a prism shaped box, the blank having an interior surface and an exterior surface and comprising: a) a first panel having an outer edge;b) a second panel foldably connected along a first side to the first panel, forming a first fold line, the second panel having: i) a front insertion flap removably coupled to a top end portion of the second panel via perforation; andii) a first top major flap foldably coupled to a top end portion of the front insertion flap, the first top major flap forming a first pull tab;c) a third panel foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the second panel, forming a second fold line, the third panel having: i) a first bottom major flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the third panel;d) a fourth panel foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the third panel, forming a third fold line, the fourth panel having: i) a first bottom minor flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the fourth panel; andii) a first top minor flap foldably coupled to a top portion of the third panel and a top portion of the fourth panel;e) a fifth panel foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the fourth panel, forming a fourth fold line, the fifth panel having: i) a second top major flap foldably coupled to a top portion of the fifth panel, the second top major flap forming a second pull tab;f) a sixth panel foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the fifth panel, forming a fifth fold line, the sixth panel having: i) a second bottom major flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the sixth panel;g) a seventh panel foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the sixth panel, forming a sixth fold line, the seventh panel having: i) a second bottom minor flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the seventh panel; andii) a second top minor flap foldably coupled to a top portion of the sixth panel and a top portion of the seventh panel;h) an eighth panel foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the seventh panel, forming a seventh fold line, the eighth panel having: i) at least one dispensing opening disposed therein; andii) at least one notch disposed along a top edge of the eighth panel; andi) a ninth panel foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the eighth panel, forming an eighth fold line, the ninth panel having: i) at least one adhesive strip coupled to an interior surface of the ninth panel.

2) A prism shaped box formed with the blank of claim 1.

3) A method of folding a blank to form a prism shaped box, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the blank of claim 1, wherein the blank is oriented with its interior surface facing up;b) lifting and curving the first, second and third panels inwards, towards the interior surfaces of the sixth, seventh and eighth panels, until the outer edge of the first panel touches the sixth fold line between the sixth and seventh panels;c) curving and folding the seventh, eighth and ninth panels in an opposite direction to overlap the first, second and third panels, such that the exterior surfaces of the first, second and third panels align with the interior surfaces of the seventh, eighth and ninth panels, respectively;d) attaching the interior surface of the ninth panel to the exterior surface of the first panel using the at least one adhesive strip;e) folding the bottom minor flaps inward;f) folding the bottom major flaps inward, overlapping the folded bottom minor flaps;g) adhering the interior surface of the bottom major flaps to the outside surface of the bottom minor flaps;h) folding the top minor flaps inward;i) folding the top major flaps inward, overlapping the folded top minor flaps; andj) adhering the interior surface of the top major flaps to the exterior surface of the top minor flaps.

4) A blank for forming a prism shaped box, the blank having an interior surface and an exterior surface and comprising: a) a first panel having an outer edge;b) a second panel foldably connected along a first side to the first panel, forming a first fold line, the second panel having: i) a front insertion flap removably coupled to a top end portion of the second panel via perforation; andii) a first top major flap foldably coupled to a top end portion of the front insertion flap, the first top major flap forming a first pull tab;c) a third panel foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the second panel, forming a second fold line, the third panel having: i) a first bottom minor flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the third panel, the first bottom minor flap having a first rounded projection;d) a fourth panel foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the third panel, forming a third fold line, the fourth panel having: i) a first bottom major flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the fourth panel, the first bottom major flap having two spaced apart projections and a recess disposed between the projections; andii) a first top minor flap foldably coupled to a top portion of the third panel and a top portion of the fourth panel, the first top minor flap having a central fold line that is longitudinally aligned with the third fold line;e) a fifth panel foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the fourth panel, forming a fourth fold line, the fifth panel having: i) a second top major flap foldably coupled to a top portion of the fifth panel, the second top major flap forming a second pull tab;f) a sixth panel foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the fifth panel, forming a fifth fold line, the sixth panel having: i) a second bottom minor flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the sixth panel, the second bottom minor flap having a second round projection that mirrors the shape of the first rounded projection;g) a seventh panel foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the sixth panel, forming a sixth fold line, the seventh panel having: i) a second bottom major flap foldably coupled to a bottom portion of the seventh panel, the second bottom major flap having a tapered free end; andii) a second top minor flap foldably coupled to a top portion of the sixth panel and a top portion of the seventh panel, the second top minor flap having a central fold line that is longitudinally aligned with the sixth fold line;h) an eighth panel foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the seventh panel, forming a seventh fold line, the eighth panel having: i) at least one dispensing opening disposed therein; andii) at least one notch disposed along a top edge of the eighth panel; andi) a ninth panel foldably connected along a first side to a second side of the eighth panel, forming an eighth fold line, the ninth panel having: i) at least one adhesive strip coupled to an interior surface of the ninth panel.

5) A prism shaped box formed with the blank of claim 4.

6) A method of folding a blank to form a prism shaped box, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the blank of claim 4, wherein the blank is oriented with its interior surface facing up;b) lifting and curving the first, second and third panels inwards, towards the interior surfaces of the sixth, seventh and eighth panels, until the outer edge of the first panel touches the sixth fold line between the sixth and seventh panels;c) curving and folding the seventh, eighth and ninth panels in an opposite direction to overlap the first, second and third panels, such that the exterior surfaces of the first, second and third panels align with the interior surfaces of the seventh, eighth and ninth panels, respectively;d) attaching the interior surface of the ninth panel to the exterior surface of the first panel using the at least one adhesive strip;e) folding the first bottom major flap inward;f) folding the two bottom minor flaps inward, overlapping the folded first bottom major flap, creating an opening;g) folding the second bottom major flap inward and inserting the free end of the second bottom major flap into the opening;h) folding the top minor flaps inward;i) folding the top major flaps inward, overlapping the folded top minor flaps; andj) adhering the interior surface of the top major flaps to the exterior surface of the top minor flaps.

7) A blank for forming a prism shaped box, the blank having an interior surface and an exterior surface and comprising: a) a first panel having an outer edge;b) a second panel foldably connected to the first panel, forming a first fold line, the second panel having: i) a front insertion flap removably coupled to the second panel via perforation; andii) a first top major flap foldably coupled to the front insertion flap;c) a third panel foldably connected to the second panel, forming a second fold line, the third panel having: i) a first bottom minor flap foldably coupled to the third panel;d) a fourth panel foldably connected to the third panel, forming a third fold line, the fourth panel having: i) a first bottom major flap foldably coupled to the fourth panel; andii) a first top minor flap foldably coupled to the third panel and the fourth panel;e) a fifth panel foldably connected to the fourth panel, forming a fourth fold line, the fifth panel having: i) a second top major flap foldably coupled to a top portion of the fifth panel;f) a sixth panel foldably connected to the fifth panel, forming a fifth fold line, the sixth panel having: i) a second bottom minor flap foldably coupled to the sixth panel;g) a seventh panel foldably connected to the sixth panel, forming a sixth fold line, the seventh panel having: i) a second bottom major flap foldably coupled to the seventh panel; andii) a second top minor flap foldably coupled the sixth panel and the seventh panel;h) an eighth panel foldably connected to the seventh panel, forming a seventh fold line, the eighth panel having: i) at least one dispensing opening disposed therein; andii) at least one notch disposed along a top edge of the eighth panel; andi) a ninth panel foldably to the eighth panel, forming an eighth fold line, the ninth panel having: i) at least one adhesive strip coupled to an interior surface of the ninth panel.

8) The blank of claim 7, wherein the first top major flap forms a first pull tab.

9) The blank of claim 7, wherein the first bottom major flap has two spaced apart projections and a recess is disposed between the projections.

10) The blank of claim 7, wherein the first top minor flap has a central fold line that is longitudinally aligned with the third fold line.

11) The blank of claim 7, wherein the second top major flap forms a second pull tab.

12) The blank of claim 7, wherein the first bottom minor flap has a first rounded projection.

13) The blank of claim 7, wherein the second bottom minor flap has a second round projection that mirrors the shape of the first rounded projection.

14) The blank of claim 7, wherein the second bottom major flap has a tapered free end.

15) The blank of claim 7, wherein the second top minor flap has a central fold line that is longitudinally aligned with the sixth fold line.

16) A prism shaped box formed with the blank of claim 7.

17) A method of folding a blank to form a prism shaped box, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the blank of claim 7, wherein the blank is oriented with its interior surface facing up;b) lifting and curving the first, second and third panels inwards, towards the interior surfaces of the sixth, seventh and eighth panels, until the outer edge of the first panel touches the sixth fold line between the sixth and seventh panels;c) curving and folding the seventh, eighth and ninth panels in an opposite direction to overlap the first, second and third panels, such that the exterior surfaces of the first, second and third panels align with the interior surfaces of the seventh, eighth and ninth panels, respectively;d) attaching the interior surface of the ninth panel to the exterior surface of the first panel using the at least one adhesive strip;e) folding the first bottom major flap inward;f) folding the two bottom minor flaps inward, overlapping the folded first bottom major flap, creating an opening;g) folding the second bottom major flap inward and inserting the free end of the second bottom major flap into the opening;h) folding the top minor flaps inward;i) folding the top major flaps inward, overlapping the folded top minor flaps; andj) adhering the interior surface of the top major flaps to the exterior surface of the top minor flaps.