CN115485204A - Container blank - Google Patents

Abstract

A container blank can be used to form a container that can package, transport, and/or store any type of article placed within the container. Further, after removal of the article from the container, the container can be disassembled from the container configuration and returned to 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 that is smaller and generally flat to allow storage or single use of the container blank.

Description

Container blank

Background technique

In the current consumer-oriented society, containers for packaging products are indispensable. Virtually all manufactured goods require convenient methods of packaging, shipping, storing and displaying. Consequently, most articles are packaged in one form or another of containers.

One of the main goals of our increasingly service-oriented economy is to provide convenience to consumers. In the packaging industry, this means providing effective, inexpensive, flexible containers. Containers also need to be suitable for packaging, transporting and storing the product. Additionally, the container needs to be able to protect the article from damage.

To meet these needs, containers can be solid, easily stackable, easy to assemble or disassemble, and, in addition to the underlying structure of the container itself, can contain additional packaging material to stabilize the article and prevent it from moving within the container. Additionally, a consumer information brochure related to the article can be contained within the container.

However, such containers can become inconvenient for consumers after the product has been removed from the container. Most consumers want to dispose of the container and any accompanying stable packaging material, information leaflets, etc. as waste or as recyclable material, or to store the container for future use. Although the container can be disassembled from the container configuration and placed into a flat configuration, problems arise because the flat configuration may be out of With more than one disassembled container, it is difficult to stack and combine together in a flat configuration. These issues can pose problems for consumers when relocating a disassembled container or stack of containers and any accompanying materials from point A (where the article is disassembled) to point B (where it is stored or disposed of as waste or as recyclable material). come difficult. Bulky and unsuitable materials may require the consumer to make multiple trips from point A to point B, or the loose material forming the container and any accompanying packaging material may separate from each other and fall into a clump.

There remains a need for a container that can be disassembled from a container configuration and reassembled into a smaller collapsed configuration that can be better transported by a consumer to another location for storage or disposal. There remains a need for a container that can provide a housing for any accompanying packaging material present in the container in a flat configuration.

Contents of the invention

In various embodiments, the container blank may have a foldable sheet; a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction; a first main panel hingedly connected in the longitudinal direction to a first end wall and to an opposite Each of the second end walls and is hingedly connected to each of the first side wall and the opposite second side wall in the transverse direction; the first end wall is in the longitudinal direction the upper hingedly connected to the first end reinforcement wall, and the second end wall is hingedly connected to the second end reinforcement wall in the longitudinal direction; the first side wall is hingedly connected in the transverse direction to the first side reinforcement wall, and the second side wall is hingedly connected to the second main panel in the transverse direction; the second main panel is hingedly connected to the closure panel in the transverse direction; and the fold 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 main panel in an overlapping configuration; the closure panel is in an overlapping configuration with the first side wall; and a first portion of the second main panel is in an overlapping configuration with a second portion of the second side wall, and the A second portion of the second main panel is in an overlapping configuration with the first side reinforcement 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. overlapping configuration. In various embodiments, in the folded configuration, the first side wall is hingedly connected in the longitudinal direction to a first end tab of the first side wall and to the first side each of the opposed second end tabs of the 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 The second end piece of the first side wall is in an overlapping configuration with a portion of the second end reinforcement wall. In various embodiments, the second main panel is hingedly connected in the longitudinal direction to a first end tab of the second main panel and to an opposite second end of the second main panel Lugs. In various embodiments, in said folded configuration, a portion of said first end tab of said second main panel is located between a portion of said first end wall and said first end reinforcement wall. between a portion, and wherein in said folded configuration, a portion of said second end tab of said second main panel is located between a portion of said second end wall and a portion of said second end reinforcing wall between. In various embodiments, said first end reinforcing wall has an edge extending in said longitudinal direction and aligned with a hinge connecting said first main panel to said second side wall, wherein said first end Said edge of the reinforcing wall has a notch. In various embodiments, said second end reinforcement wall has an edge extending in said longitudinal direction and aligned with a hinge connecting said first main panel to said second side wall, wherein said second end Said edge of the reinforcing wall has a notch. In various embodiments, at least one of the first end tab of the second main panel or the second end tab of the second main 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, and the first sidewall is The transverse direction has a third width dimension, the first side reinforcement 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 width 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 , the fourth width dimension and the fifth width dimension are smaller 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.

Description of drawings

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a container blank used to form the container of FIG. 1 .

Figures 3-5 are diagrammatic plan views of the container blank of Figure 2 with various portions of the container blank folded into an overlapping configuration.

6A and 6B are schematic plan views of an embodiment of the container blank of FIG. 2 in a collapsed and locked configuration.

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

7A and 7B are schematic plan views of an embodiment of the container blank of FIG. 2 in a collapsed and locked configuration.

Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a container blank for forming a container.

Figure 9 is a plan view of an illustration of the container blank of Figure 8 partially folded into an overlapping configuration.

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

detailed description

The present disclosure relates to a container blank that can be used to form a container capable of packaging, transporting and/or storing any type of article placed within the container. Furthermore, after removal of the article from the container, the container can be detached from the container configuration and returned to the planar container blank configuration. The flat container blank configuration can then be assembled into a folded configuration different from the container configuration, and the folded configuration is smaller and generally flat to allow storage or disposable of the container blank use. This smaller and generally flat configuration may not allow for storage of articles in this configuration, but may allow for storage/shipping/handling of the container blank and any accompanying packaging material, information booklets, etc.

FIG. 1 provides an illustration of an embodiment of a container 220 . The container 220 may be formed from a container blank 10 such as that shown in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2-9 . Container 220 is shown in an open and empty configuration. This open and empty configuration may occur prior to placing an article in container 220 or after removing an article from container 220 .

The container 220 may have a first main panel 12 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , first major panel 12 may have first major surface 14 facing the interior volume of container 220 . The first main panel 12 may be planar and may 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 main panel 12 may be hingedly connected to the first end wall 20 and the second end wall 40 . 1, the first end wall 20 and the second end wall 40 are parallel to each other, the first end wall 20 extends from the folded portion 28 and is perpendicular to the first main panel 12, and the second end wall 40 extends from the folded portion 48 and is perpendicular on the first main panel 12 . The first end wall 20 may also be hingedly connected to the first end reinforcing wall 30 in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container 220 . In a container configuration such as that shown in FIG. . In the container configuration, the first end reinforcing wall 30 has a first major surface 34 in face-to-face relationship with the 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 the second major surface 26 facing the exterior of the container 220 . Thus, the first end wall 20 is the outer facing wall of the container 220 and the first end reinforcement wall 30 is the inner facing wall of the container 220 . The second end wall 40 may also be hingedly connected to the second end reinforcement wall 50 in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container 220 . In a container configuration such as that shown in FIG. . In the container configuration, the second end reinforcing wall 50 has a first major surface 54 in face-to-face relationship with the 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 the exterior of the container 220 . Thus, the second end wall 40 is the outer facing wall of the container 220 and the second end reinforcement wall 50 is the inner facing wall of the container 220 .

In the transverse direction (T) of the container 220 , the first main panel 12 may be hingedly connected to the first side wall 60 and the second side wall 90 . 1, the first side wall 60 and the second side wall 90 are parallel to each other, the first side wall 60 extends from the folded portion 68 and is perpendicular to the first main panel 12, and the second side wall 90 extends from the folded portion 96 and is perpendicular to on the first main panel 12 . The first side wall 60 may also be hingedly connected to the first side reinforcement wall 70 in the transverse direction (T) of the container 220 . In a container configuration such as that shown in FIG. . In the container configuration, the first side reinforcing wall 70 has a first major surface 74 in face-to-face relationship with the 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 the exterior of the container 220 . Thus, the first side wall 60 is the outer facing wall of the container 220 and the first side reinforcement wall 70 is the inner facing wall of the container 220 .

Unlike each of the first end wall 20, the second end wall 40, and the first side wall 60, the second side wall 90 is not hingedly connected to the reinforcement wall. Instead, the second side wall 90 may be hingedly connected to the second main panel 110 in the transverse direction (T) of the container 220 . In a container configuration such as that shown in FIG. 1, the fold 118 may cause the second main panel 110 to fold in an upward or downward direction to open or close the container 220, respectively. Thus, the second main panel 110 may form a sixth side to completely enclose the inner volume of the container 220 . To help close the interior volume of the container 220, and potentially provide additional stability to the articles contained within the container 220, the second main panel 110 may be hinged to the end in the longitudinal direction (L) via a hinge line 122 tab 120 and is hinged to end tab 130 via hinge line 132 . When the container 220 is in the closed configuration, the end flaps 120 and 130 may be positioned within 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 the closed configuration, the second major panel 110 will be parallel to and spaced from the first major panel 12 . Similar to the first main panel 12, the second main panel 110 will be perpendicular to the first end wall 20, the first end reinforcing wall 30, the second end wall 40, the second end reinforcing wall 50, the first side wall 60, the first Each of the side reinforcement wall 70 and the second side wall 90 . The second main panel 110 may be hingedly connected to the closure panel 140 in the transverse direction (T). The closure panel 140 may be in an overlapping configuration with the exterior facing the second major surface 66 of the first side wall 60 when the container 220 is in the closed configuration.

In various embodiments, it may be desirable for the container 220 to retain itself in the container configuration. In such an embodiment, at least the first side wall 60, the second side wall 90 and the closure panel 140 may be provided with end pieces. The first side wall 60 may 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 main panel 12 via the fold 68 , the first end tab 80 of the first side wall 60 may be positioned between the first end wall 20 and the first end reinforcement wall 30 , while the second end tab 84 of the first side wall 60 may be positioned between the second end wall 40 and the second end reinforcement wall 50 . The second side wall 90 may be hingedly connected to the first end tab 100 and the second end tab 104 in the longitudinal direction (L). When the second side wall 90 is positioned perpendicular to the first main panel 12 via the fold 96 , the first end tab 100 of the second side wall 90 may be positioned between the first end wall 20 and the first end reinforcement wall 30 , while the second end tab 104 of the second side wall 90 may be positioned between the second end wall 40 and the second end reinforcement wall 50 . Although the first end pieces 80 and 100 are shown in FIG. 1 as not abutting each other when positioned between the first end wall 20 and the first end reinforcing wall 30, it should be understood that the first end pieces 80 and 100 may have Any size is considered suitable for holding container 220 in the container configuration. Similarly, while second end pieces 84 and 104 are shown in FIG. 1 as not abutting each other when positioned between second end wall 40 and second end reinforcing wall 50, it 104 may be of any size deemed suitable for holding container 220 in the container configuration. While the end pieces 80, 84, 100, and 104 may have any dimensions deemed suitable for holding the container 220 in the container configuration, in various embodiments, each of the end pieces 80, 84, 100, and 104 The size of the latter will likely be small enough that the first end piece 80 and 100 will not be placed in an overlapping configuration when positioned between the first end wall 20 and the first end reinforcing wall 30, and the second end piece 84 and 104 are also not placed in an overlapping configuration when positioned between second end wall 40 and second end reinforcement wall 50 . This overlapping configuration may exert pressure on the first end reinforcing wall 30 and the second end reinforcing wall 50, respectively, pushing the first end reinforcing wall 30 and the second end reinforcing wall 50 away from their respective end walls 20 and 40, resulting in The ability of the container 220 to maintain the container configuration is reduced.

The closure panel 140 may be hingedly connected to the first closure tab 150 and the second closure tab 154 in the longitudinal direction (L). The closure panel 140 may be placed in an overlapping configuration with the first side wall 60 of the container 220 when the container 220 is in the closed configuration. To hold the container 220 in the closed configuration, the first closure tab 150 may be positioned between the first end wall 20 and the first end reinforcement wall 30 , wherein the first closure tab 150 is in contact with the first end tab 80 In the overlapping configuration, the second closure tab 154 may be positioned between the second end wall 40 and the second end reinforcement wall 50 , wherein the second closure tab 154 is in the overlapping configuration with the second end tab 84 . Although the overlapping configuration of the first closing tab 150 and the first end tab 80 and the overlapping configuration of the second closing tab 154 and the second end tab 84 can be significant to the first end reinforcing wall 30 and the second The end reinforcement wall 50 exerts pressure to push the first end reinforcement wall 30 and the second end reinforcement wall 50 away from their respective end walls 20 and 40, the positioning of the first side reinforcement wall 70 can move the first end reinforcement wall 30 and the second end reinforcement wall The two end reinforcing walls 50 remain in their correct position to hold the container 220 in the container configuration.

When each of the first end wall 20 , the first end reinforcing wall 30 , the second end wall 40 , the second end reinforcing wall 50 , the first side wall 60 , the first side reinforcing wall 70 and the second side wall 90 The container 220 may 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) when all placed perpendicular to the first major panel 12 . Such length, width, and height dimensions may provide container 220 with an interior volume suitable for receiving the article and any other accompanying packaging materials or information booklets.

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

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

The first main panel 12 may have a width dimension W1 in the transverse direction (T), and the second main panel 110 may have a width dimension W5 in the transverse direction (T), wherein each of the width dimension W1 and the width dimension W5 are all the same. The first side wall 60, the first side reinforcing wall 70, the second side wall 90, and the closure panel 140 may each have width dimensions W2, W3, W4, and W6 in the transverse direction (T), respectively. Each of width dimensions W2, W3 and W4 may be the same. In various embodiments, each of width dimensions W2, W3, and W4 may be the same, but smaller than width dimensions W1 and W5 of first and second major panels 12, 110, respectively. In various embodiments, width dimensions W2, W3, and W4 are two-thirds of width dimensions Wl and W5. In various embodiments, the width dimension W6 of the closure panel 140 may 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 may be less 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 single use. 3-5 provide exemplary illustrations of the folding process for converting a larger container blank 10 into a smaller and generally flat folded configuration. 3 is a plan view of the container blank 10 in which the first end reinforcing wall 30 has been folded and formed into an overlapping configuration with the first end wall 20 to form a fold 38 and align the first major surface of the first end reinforcing wall 30 34 is placed in face-to-face relationship with the first major surface 24 of the first end wall 20 . In addition, the second end reinforcing wall 50 has been folded into an overlapping configuration with the second end wall 40 to form a fold 58 and place the first major surface 54 of the second end reinforcing wall 50 in contact with the second end wall 40 . The first major surface 44 is in face-to-face relationship. Folding the first end reinforcement wall 30 over the first end wall 20 and the second end reinforcement wall 50 over the second end wall 40 may reduce the maximum length dimension of the container blank 10 in the longitudinal direction (L). FIG. 4 provides an exemplary illustration where first side wall 60 has been folded to form fold 68 . Forming the fold 68 repositions the first side wall 60 such that the first major surface 64 of the first side wall 60 is in 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 Reinforced wall 70 such that a portion of first major surface 74 of first side reinforced wall 70 is in face-to-face relationship with a portion of first major surface 94 of second side wall 90 , and such that the first major surface of first side reinforced wall 70 Another portion of surface 74 is in face-to-face relationship with a portion of first major surface 14 of first major panel 12 . As shown in FIG. 4, forming the fold 68 may reduce the overall width dimension of the container blank 10 in the transverse direction (T). Referring to FIG. 5 , a portion of the first major face 114 of the second major panel 110 may be in face-to-face relationship with the first major face 94 of the second side wall 90 by forming the fold 118 and repositioning the second major panel 110 and A second portion of the first major surface 114 of the second major panel 110 is in face-to-face relationship with the second major surface 76 of the first side reinforcing wall 70 to further reduce the overall width of the container blank 10 in the transverse direction (T). size. Forming the fold 118 also places the closure panel 140 in an overlapping configuration with the first side wall 60 , wherein the first major surface 144 of the closure panel 140 is in 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 the end tab 120 is in 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 the end tab 130 is in face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface 36 of the first end reinforcement wall 30 . A portion of the second major surface 56 of the second end reinforcing wall 50 is in face-to-face relationship.

As shown in Figure 5, the container blank 10 has been reassembled into a smaller and generally flat configuration, making the container blank 10 easier to store and/or transport. Although the container blank 10 has been reassembled into a more convenient size and shape for the consumer, in various embodiments it may be desirable to lock the container blank 10 into a smaller and generally flat configuration such that it Will not unfold by itself during storage or transport.

Referring to Figures 6A, 6B and 6C, embodiments of exemplary locking configurations are shown. As described herein, after forming the fold 118, a portion of the first major surface 124 of the end tab 120 is in face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface 36 of the first end reinforcing wall 30, and the end tab A portion of first major surface 134 of 130 is in face-to-face relationship with a portion of second major surface 56 of second end reinforcing wall 50 . As shown in FIGS. 6A , 6B and 6C, embodiments of locking the container blank 10 may include repositioning the end tab 120 so that a portion of the end tab 120 is sandwiched between the first end wall 20 and the first end reinforcement. wall 30 , and reposition the end tab 130 such that a portion of the end tab 130 is sandwiched between the second end wall 40 and the second end reinforcement wall 50 . For example, the edge 160 of the first end reinforcing wall 30 can be lifted high enough out of plane to allow a portion of the end tab 120 to reach below the first end reinforcing wall 30 and be repositioned between the first end wall 20 and the second end wall 30 . Repositioning of the end tabs 120 takes place between an end reinforcing wall 30 . After this repositioning of a portion of the end tab 120, a portion of the first major surface 124 of the end tab 120 that is in face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface 36 of the first end reinforcing wall 30 will now be in contact with A portion of the first major surface 24 of the first end wall 20 is in face-to-face relationship, while a portion of the second major surface 126 of the end tab 120 will now be in contact with a portion of the first major surface 34 of the first end reinforcing wall 30. face-to-face relationship. A close-up view of this locked configuration is provided in the example shown in Figure 6C. A similar repositioning of the end tab 130 can be performed in which the edge 164 of the second end reinforcing wall 50 is raised high enough out of plane to allow a portion of the end tab 130 to reach below the second end reinforcing wall 50 and Repositioned between the second end wall 40 and the second end reinforcing wall 50 such that the first major surface 134 of the end tab 130 is in face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface 56 of the second end reinforcing wall 50 A portion of the second major surface 44 of the second end wall 40 will now be in face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface 136 of the end tab 130 and a portion of the second major surface 136 of the end tab 130 will now be in face-to-face relationship with the first major surface 44 of the second end reinforcement wall 50. A portion of surface 54 is in face-to-face relationship.

In various embodiments, to facilitate lifting edges 160 and 164 out of plane, each of edges 160 and 164 can have a notch, such as notch 162 and 166, respectively, which can provide a grip for the consumer. The ability of the material forming the first end reinforcing wall 30 and the second end reinforcing wall 50 without the need to hold the material forming the first end wall 20 and the second end wall 40 at the same time. An example of such notches 162 and 166 is shown in Figure 6B. Recesses 162 and 166 may be of any size and shape deemed suitable for accommodating a consumer extending at least a single finger (such as an index finger) through the opening formed by indentation 162 or 166 and clamping material between the ends of the same handle. between the index finger and the consumer's thumb and exerts a pulling force on the material to lift the edges 160 and 164 out of plane.

Referring to Figures 7A and 7A, in various embodiments it may be considered suitable to provide the container blank 10 with at least one opening in the material from which the container blank 10 is formed, so as to facilitate the carrying and transport of the container blank in a folded configuration by the consumer. piece 10. Each opening may be of any size and shape deemed suitable for convenient carrying and transport of the container blank 10 in the collapsed configuration. Examples of various suitable shapes for the opening may include, but are not limited to, square, rectangular, circular, oval, elliptical, and the like. The opening should be provided in the material from which the container blank 10 is formed, in a location easily accessible to the consumer after reassembly of the container blank 10 into a smaller and generally flat configuration. In various embodiments, the container blank 10 may have at least one opening. In various embodiments, the container blank 10 may have at least 1, 2, 3 or 4 openings. As shown in the exemplary embodiment provided in FIGS. 7A and 7B , the container blank 10 has two openings 170 and 172 located on the end pieces 120 and 130, respectively, hingedly connected to the second main panel 110. . Each opening 170 and 172 is shown in a portion of each respective end flap 120 and 130 where the material forming the end flap 120 or 130 is not in an overlapping configuration with any other material forming the carton blank 10 .

As described herein, a container for packaging an article may contain not only the article, but also additional packaging material and information leaflets that may prevent movement of the article within the container and damage to the article. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, this additional packaging material 210 and information booklet can be placed on top of the container blank 10 when it is in its fully expanded and planar configuration, and can then be placed on top of the container blank 10. The member 10 is then accommodated in the refolded smaller, generally flat, folded configuration after being folded into the smaller, generally flat configuration.

For the sake of brevity and conciseness, any range of values indicated in this disclosure contemplates all values within that range and should be construed as supporting a claim reciting any sub-range whose endpoint is at All values within the stated ranges considered. By way of hypothetical example, a disclosure with a range of 1 to 5 should be considered to support a claim for 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.

Dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as strictly limited to the precise 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 "40mm" is intended to mean "about 40mm".

All documents cited in the "Detailed Description" are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document 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 writing 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 writing shall control.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown 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 preferred embodiments thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The words "comprising", "comprising" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Many modifications and variations can be made to this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the above-described exemplary embodiments should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. A container blank, the container blank comprising:

a. a foldable sheet;

b. a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction;

c. a first main panel hingedly connected to each of the first end wall and the opposing second end wall in the longitudinal direction and hingedly connected to each of the first side wall and the opposing second side wall in the transverse direction;

d. the first end wall is hingedly connected to a first end reinforcing wall in the longitudinal direction and the second end wall is hingedly connected to a second end reinforcing wall in the longitudinal direction;

e. the first side wall is hingedly connected to a first side reinforcement wall in the transverse direction and the second side wall is hingedly connected to a second main panel in the transverse direction;

f. the second main panel is hingedly connected to the closure panel in the transverse direction; and

g. 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 main panel; the closure panel is in an overlapping configuration with the first sidewall; and the first portion of the second main panel is in an overlapping configuration with the second portion of the second side wall and the second portion of the second main panel is in an overlapping configuration with the first side reinforcing wall.

2. The container blank of claim 1, wherein 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.

3. The container blank of claim 2, wherein in the folded configuration, the first side wall is hingedly connected to each of a first end tab of the first side wall and an opposing second end tab of the first side wall in the longitudinal direction, 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.

4. The container blank of claim 3 wherein the second main panel is hingedly connected in the longitudinal direction to a first end tab of the second main panel and an opposing second end tab of the second main panel.

5. The container blank of claim 4, wherein in the folded configuration, a portion of the first end tab of the second main 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 main panel is located between a portion of the second end wall and a portion of the second end reinforcing wall.

6. The container blank of claim 5, wherein the first end reinforcing wall has an edge extending in the longitudinal direction and aligned with a hinge connecting the first main panel to the second side wall, wherein the edge of the first end reinforcing wall has a notch.

7. The container blank of claim 5 wherein the second end reinforcing wall has an edge extending in the longitudinal direction and aligned with a hinge connecting the first main panel to the second side wall, wherein the edge of the second end reinforcing wall has a notch.

8. The container blank of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first end tab of the second main panel or the second end tab of the second main panel defines an opening.

9. The container blank of claim 1, wherein the first main panel has a first width dimension in the transverse direction, the second main 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 side reinforcing 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 and second width dimensions are the same, and wherein the third, fourth, and fifth width dimensions are the same as one another, but wherein the third, fourth, and fifth width dimensions are less than the first and second width dimensions.

10. The container blank of claim 9, wherein the third, fourth, and fifth width dimensions are each two-thirds of the first and second width dimensions.

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