Shippers with variable depth

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10954026-B2
Application number	US-201916455215-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 27, 2019
Priority date	Jun 27, 2019
Publication date	Mar 23, 2021
Grant date	Mar 23, 2021

Abstract

A container includes a first blank and a second blank. The first blank includes a plurality of panels foldably connected to one another and erected about an interior space, and a plurality of top flaps foldably connected to the plurality of panels to enclose a top end of the interior space. The second blank includes a bottom panel affixed to the first blank opposite the top flaps to enclose a bottom end of the interior space. The first blank includes a line of weakness pattern configured to allow a user to break the top flaps from a closed configuration enclosing the interior space to an open configuration allowing access to the interior space.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A container comprising:
a first blank including a plurality of panels foldably connected to one another and erected about an interior space, and a plurality of top flaps foldably connected to the plurality of panels to enclose a top end of the interior space; and
a second blank including a bottom panel affixed to the first blank opposite the top flaps to enclose a bottom end of the interior space, wherein the first blank includes a line of weakness pattern configured to allow a user to break the top flaps from a closed configuration enclosing the interior space to an open configuration allowing access to the interior space;
wherein the plurality of panels include a front panel, a first side panel, a back panel opposed to the front panel, and a second side panel opposed to the first side panel, and wherein the second blank further comprises a front flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and adhered to the front panel of the first blank, a back flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and adhered to the back panel of the first blank, a first side flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and adhered to the first side panel of the first blank, and a second side flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and adhered to the second side panel of the first blank.

2. The container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the top flaps, the first side panel, and the second side panel include perforations of the line of weakness pattern.

3. The container as recited in claim 2 , wherein the perforations in the first and second side panels define a respective opener tab in each of the first and second side panels configured for a user to initiate breaking the line of weakness pattern.

4. The container as recited in claim 3 , wherein the perforations in the top flaps define a top opener feature configured for a user to initiate breaking the top flaps.

5. The container as recited in claim 4 , wherein the perforations in the first and second side panels follow respective arcuate paths.

6. The container as recited in claim 4 , wherein each of the front and back panels includes a respective hinge line defined therein for hinging the first blank into the open configuration.

7. The container as recited in claim 6 , wherein each hinge line extends into each of the first and second side panels.

8. The container as recited in claim 4 , wherein the top flaps include a back top flap foldably connected to the back panel, a front top flap foldably connected to the front panel, a first side top flap foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second side top flap foldably connected to the second side panel, wherein the line of weakness pattern includes respective perforations from each respective opener tab and across each respective one of the first and second side top flaps.

9. The container as recited in claim 8 , wherein the perforations across each respective one of the first and second side top flaps each connect between a respective one of the opener tabs to an edge notch in the respective one of the first and second side top flaps.

10. The container as recited in claim 9 , wherein the top opener feature is aligned with the edge notches of the first and second side top flaps.

11. The container as recited in claim 9 , wherein the perforations across each respective one of the first and second side top flaps divide each of the first and second side top flaps into a front portion and a back portion, wherein the front portions are adhered to the front top flap, and wherein the back portions are adhered to the back top flap.

12. The container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the top flaps and the front panel include perforations of the line of weakness pattern.

13. The container as recited in claim 12 , wherein the perforation in the front panel defines an opening tab configured for a user to initiate breaking the line of weakness pattern.

14. The container as recited in claim 13 , wherein the top flaps include a back top flap foldably connected to the back panel, a front top flap foldably connected to the front panel, a first side top flap foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second side top flap foldably connected to the second side panel, wherein the line of weakness pattern includes perforations in the front top flap, the first side top flap, and the second side top flap.

15. The container as recited in claim 14 , wherein the perforation in the first side top flap divides the first side top flap into a breakaway portion adhered to the top back flap and a non-breakaway portion adhered to a non-breakaway portion of the front top flap, wherein the perforation in the second side top flap divides the second side top flap into a breakaway portion adhered to the top back flap and a non-breakaway portion adhered to a non-breakaway portion of the front top flap, and wherein a breakaway portion of the front top flap is adhered to the breakaway portions of the first and second side top flaps.

16. A blank system for container comprising:
a first blank including a plurality of panels foldably connected to one another configured to be erected about an interior space, and a plurality of top flaps foldably connected to the plurality of panels configured to enclose a top end of the interior space; and
a second blank including a bottom panel configured to be affixed to the first blank opposite the top flaps to enclose a bottom end of the interior space, wherein the first blank includes a line of weakness pattern configured to allow break the top flaps from a closed configuration enclosing the interior space to an open configuration allowing access to the interior space;
wherein the plurality of panels include a front panel, a first side panel, a back panel opposed to the front panel, and a second side panel opposed to the first side panel, and wherein the second blank further comprises a front flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and configured to be adhered to the front panel of the first blank, a back flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and configured to be adhered to the back panel of the first blank, a first side flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and configured to be adhered to the first side panel of the first blank, and a second side flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and configured to be adhered to the second side panel of the first blank.

Assignees

• Westrock Shared Services Llc

Inventors

• Simpkins Kevin M
• Rebmann Chad
• James Jeffrey S

Classifications

• B65B59/003

  Arrangements to enable adjustments related to the packaging material · CPC title

• B65D5/0005

  of variable capacity · CPC title

• B65B61/18

  for making package-opening or unpacking elements · CPC title

• B65D5/541

  the lines of weakness being provided in one or more closure flaps · CPC title

• B65B5/028 Primary

  for making containers from two or more blanks (B65B5/026 takes precedence) · CPC title