US20230095437A1 - Packaging containers and associated container blanks and packaging methods - Google Patents
Packaging containers and associated container blanks and packaging methods Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20230095437A1 US20230095437A1 US17/802,463 US202117802463A US2023095437A1 US 20230095437 A1 US20230095437 A1 US 20230095437A1 US 202117802463 A US202117802463 A US 202117802463A US 2023095437 A1 US2023095437 A1 US 2023095437A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- panel
- packaging container
- rear wall
- major panel
- closure flap
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 101
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 15
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000011087 paperboard Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 18
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000003313 weakening effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Sulfate Chemical compound [O-]S([O-])(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 239000004927 clay Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012827 research and development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/36—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper specially constructed to allow collapsing and re-erecting without disengagement of side or bottom connections
- B65D5/3607—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper specially constructed to allow collapsing and re-erecting without disengagement of side or bottom connections formed by folding or erecting a single blank
- B65D5/3614—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper specially constructed to allow collapsing and re-erecting without disengagement of side or bottom connections formed by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body, at least one of the ends of the body remaining connected
- B65D5/3621—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper specially constructed to allow collapsing and re-erecting without disengagement of side or bottom connections formed by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body, at least one of the ends of the body remaining connected collapsed along two fold lines of the tubular body
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
- B65B5/04—Packaging single articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/02—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
- B65D5/10—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body with end closures formed by inward-folding of self-locking flaps hinged to tubular body
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/44—Integral, inserted or attached portions forming internal or external fittings
- B65D5/48—Partitions
- B65D5/48002—Partitions integral
- B65D5/48004—Squaring, i.e. at least four not aligned compartments
- B65D5/48008—Squaring, i.e. at least four not aligned compartments formed by folding extensions hinged to the upper or lower edges of a tubular body
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/54—Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing
- B65D5/5405—Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing for opening containers formed by erecting a blank in tubular form
- B65D5/541—Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing for opening containers formed by erecting a blank in tubular form the lines of weakness being provided in one or more closure flaps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/54—Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing
- B65D5/5405—Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing for opening containers formed by erecting a blank in tubular form
- B65D5/542—Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing for opening containers formed by erecting a blank in tubular form the lines of weakness being provided in the container body
Definitions
- the present patent application relates to product packaging and shipping, and, more particularly, to packaging containers that are configurable as a box during loading of product into the packaging container and then are reconfigurable as a flat/envelope for purposes of shipping.
- Parcels e.g., corrugated boxes
- an automated process e.g., a pick-and-place robot
- parcels incur the highest shipping costs.
- Flats are an attractive alternative to parcels due to the relatively lower shipping cost associated with flats as compared to parcels.
- flats can be difficult to load, particularly when using an automated process (e.g., a pick-and-place robot) to load product into the flat.
- the disclosed packaging container is configurable between at least a loading configuration and a flattened configuration, the packaging container including a front wall major panel and a rear wall major panel connected to the front wall major panel, wherein the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel define four side walls when the packaging container is in the loading configuration, and wherein the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel define two side walls when the packaging container is in the flattened configuration.
- the disclosed packaging container includes a front wall major panel including a front wall first minor panel connected to a front wall second minor panel along a front wall preformed weakness, a rear wall major panel connected to the front wall major panel to at least partially define an internal volume therebetween, the rear wall major panel including a rear wall first minor panel connected to a rear wall second minor panel along a rear wall preformed weakness, and a closure flap connected to the rear wall major panel, the closure flap including a closure flap first minor panel connected to a closure flap second minor panel along a closure flap preformed weakness, wherein the closure flap preformed weakness is substantially aligned with the rear wall preformed weakness.
- the disclosed method for packaging a product in a packaging container includes steps of (1) configuring the packaging container into a loading configuration, wherein a front wall major panel and a rear wall major panel of the packaging container define four side walls when the packaging container is in the loading configuration, (2) inserting the product into the packaging container while the packaging container is in the loading configuration, and (3) after the inserting, configuring the packaging container into a flattened configuration, wherein the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel define two side walls when the packaging container is in the flattened configuration.
- FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one example of the disclosed packaging container, shown in a flattened and closed configuration;
- FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the packaging container of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the packaging container of FIG. 1 , but shown in a flattened yet unclosed configuration;
- FIG. 4 is a front and end perspective view of the packaging container of FIG. 1 , but shown in a loading configuration;
- FIG. 5 is a front and end perspective view of the packaging container of FIG. 4 loaded with product and reconfigured to the flattened yet unclosed configuration shown in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of one example of a blank that may be used to manufacture the packaging container shown in FIGS. 1 - 4 ;
- FIG. 7 is a plan view of another example of a blank that may be used to manufacture a packaging container similar to the packaging container shown in FIGS. 1 - 4 .
- the disclosed packaging container may be easily loaded with product (e.g., by an automated process, such as a pick-and-place robot) when the packaging container is in a loading configuration (see FIG. 4 ). Then, once loaded with product, the packaging container may be reconfigured to a flattened yet unclosed configuration (see FIGS. 3 and 5 ) and, ultimately, to a flattened and closed (e.g., sealed) configuration (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ).
- the packaging container 100 includes a front wall major panel 110 ( FIG. 1 ), a rear wall major panel 130 ( FIG. 2 ), an upper closure flap 150 , and a lower closure flap 170 .
- the front wall major panel 110 may be generally rectangular and may be defined by an upper edge 112 , a lower edge 114 , a first (left) side edge 116 , and a second (right) side edge 118 .
- the upper edge 112 may be a free edge and the lower edge 114 may be a free edge.
- the front wall major panel 110 may include a front wall first minor panel 122 and a front wall second minor panel 124 .
- the front wall first minor panel 122 may be connected to the front wall second minor panel 124 along a front wall preformed weakness 126 .
- the front wall preformed weakness 126 may be formed using various weakening techniques, such as scoring, creasing, perforating or the like. Therefore, the front wall first minor panel 122 may bend (e.g., hinge) relative to the front wall second minor panel 124 along the front wall preformed weakness 126 .
- the front wall preformed weakness 126 may extend along the front wall major panel 110 from proximate (at or near) the upper edge 112 to proximate the lower edge 114 .
- the front wall preformed weakness 126 may extend from the upper edge 112 to the lower edge 114 as a substantially straight line that is substantially parallel with the first (left) side edge 116 of the front wall major panel 110 .
- front wall preformed weakness 126 may facilitate controlled bending of the front wall first minor panel 122 relative to the front wall second minor panel 124 . Therefore, when a bending force is applied to the front wall first minor panel 122 and/or the front wall second minor panel 124 , bending occurs primarily along the front wall preformed weakness 126 .
- the rear wall major panel 130 may be generally rectangular and may be defined by an upper edge 132 , a lower edge 134 , a first (left) side edge 136 , and a second (right) side edge 138 .
- Using a rear wall major panel 130 that is not generally rectangular is also contemplated and will not result in a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.
- the rear wall major panel 130 may include a rear wall first minor panel 142 and a rear wall second minor panel 144 .
- the rear wall first minor panel 142 may be connected to the rear wall second minor panel 144 along a rear wall preformed weakness 146 .
- the rear wall preformed weakness 146 may be formed using various weakening techniques, such as scoring, creasing, perforating or the like. Therefore, the rear wall first minor panel 142 may bend (e.g., hinge) relative to the rear wall second minor panel 144 along the rear wall preformed weakness 146 .
- the rear wall preformed weakness 146 may extend along the rear wall major panel 130 from proximate the upper edge 132 to proximate the lower edge 134 .
- the rear wall preformed weakness 146 may extend from the upper edge 132 to the lower edge 134 as a substantially straight line that is substantially parallel with the first (left) side edge 136 of the rear wall major panel 130 .
- the rear wall preformed weakness 146 may facilitate controlled bending of the rear wall first minor panel 142 relative to the rear wall second minor panel 144 . Therefore, when a bending force is applied to the rear wall first minor panel 142 and/or the rear wall second minor panel 144 , bending occurs primarily along the rear wall preformed weakness 146 .
- the front wall major panel 110 may be connected to the rear wall major panel 130 , such as by way of a sealing flap (e.g., sealing flap 210 shown in FIG. 6 or sealing flap 310 shown in FIG. 7 ).
- a sealing flap e.g., sealing flap 210 shown in FIG. 6 or sealing flap 310 shown in FIG. 7
- the first (left) side edge 116 of the front wall major panel 110 may be aligned with the first (left) side edge 136 of the rear wall major panel 130
- the second (right) side edge 118 of the front wall major panel 110 may be alighted with the second (right) side edge 138 of the rear wall major panel 130 .
- an internal volume 102 may be defined between the front wall major panel 110 and the rear wall major panel 130 .
- the upper edge 112 of the front wall major panel 110 and the upper edge 132 of the rear wall major panel 130 may define a first (upper) opening 104 into the internal volume 102 .
- the lower edge 114 of the front wall major panel 110 and the lower edge 134 of the rear wall major panel 130 may define a second (lower) opening 106 into the internal volume 102 .
- the upper closure flap 150 may be connected to the rear wall major panel 130 along the upper edge 132 of the rear wall major panel 130 .
- the upper edge 132 of the rear wall major panel 130 may include a preformed weakness, such as a score, a crease, perforations or the like, to facilitate controlled bending of the upper closure flap 150 relative to the rear wall major panel 130 along the upper edge 132 when reconfiguring the upper closure flap 150 from the unclosed configuration shown in FIG. 3 to the closed configuration shown in FIG. 1 .
- first (upper) opening 104 into the internal volume 102 may be sealed (at least partially, if not fully), as shown in FIG. 1 , by bending the upper closure flap 150 relative to the rear wall major panel 130 and securing (e.g., with adhesive or by heat sealing) the upper closure flap 150 against the front wall major panel 110 (e.g., against both the front wall first minor panel 122 and the front wall second minor panel 124 ).
- the upper closure flap 150 may include an upper closure flap first minor panel 152 and an upper closure flap second minor panel 154 .
- the upper closure flap first minor panel 152 may be connected to the upper closure flap second minor panel 154 along an upper closure flap preformed weakness 156 .
- the upper closure flap preformed weakness 156 may be formed using various weakening techniques, such as scoring, creasing, perforating or the like. Therefore, the upper closure flap first minor panel 152 may bend (e.g., hinge) relative to the upper closure flap second minor panel 154 along the upper closure flap preformed weakness 156 .
- the upper closure flap preformed weakness 156 may extend along the upper closure flap 150 from proximate the upper edge 132 of the rear wall major panel 130 to proximate the free edge 158 of the upper closure flap 150 . Furthermore, the upper closure flap preformed weakness 156 may be substantially aligned with the rear wall preformed weakness 146 ( FIG. 2 ) of the rear wall major panel 130 . For example, the upper closure flap preformed weakness 156 and the rear wall preformed weakness 146 may be colinear.
- the lower closure flap 170 may be connected to the rear wall major panel 130 along the lower edge 134 of the rear wall major panel 130 .
- the lower edge 134 of the rear wall major panel 130 may include a preformed weakness, such as a score, a crease, perforations or the like, to facilitate controlled bending of the lower closure flap 170 relative to the rear wall major panel 130 along the lower edge 134 when reconfiguring the lower closure flap 170 from the unclosed configuration shown in FIG. 3 to the closed configuration shown in FIG. 1 .
- the second (lower) opening 106 into the internal volume 102 may be sealed (at least partially, if not fully), as shown in FIG. 1 , by bending the lower closure flap 170 relative to the rear wall major panel 130 and securing (e.g., with adhesive or by heat sealing) the lower closure flap 170 against the front wall major panel 110 (e.g., against both the front wall first minor panel 122 and the front wall second minor panel 124 ).
- the lower closure flap 170 may include a lower closure flap first minor panel 172 and a lower closure flap second minor panel 174 .
- the lower closure flap first minor panel 172 may be connected to the lower closure flap second minor panel 174 along a lower closure flap preformed weakness 176 .
- the lower closure flap preformed weakness 176 may be formed using various weakening techniques, such as scoring, creasing, perforating or the like. Therefore, the lower closure flap first minor panel 172 may bend (e.g., hinge) relative to the lower closure flap second minor panel 174 along the lower closure flap preformed weakness 176 .
- the lower closure flap preformed weakness 176 may extend along the lower closure flap 170 from proximate the lower edge 134 of the rear wall major panel 130 to proximate the free edge 178 of the lower closure flap 170 . Furthermore, the lower closure flap preformed weakness 176 may be substantially aligned with the rear wall preformed weakness 146 ( FIG. 2 ) of the rear wall major panel 130 . For example, the lower closure flap preformed weakness 176 and the rear wall preformed weakness 146 may be colinear.
- the disclosed packaging container 100 may be configurable as a flat/envelope. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the packaging container 100 may be in a flattened yet unclosed configuration prior to the upper closure flap 150 and the lower closure flap 170 being secured to the front wall major panel 110 . Then, once the upper closure flap 150 and the lower closure flap 170 are secured to the front wall major panel 110 , the packaging container 100 may be in a flattened and closed configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- the packaging container 100 Prior to configuring the packaging container 100 as a flat/envelope, particularly prior to configuring to the flattened and closed configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the packaging container 100 may be in the loading configuration shown in FIG. 4 . Configuring the packaging container 100 in the loading configuration shown in FIG. 4 may facilitate loading product 10 ( FIG. 5 ) into the internal volume 102 of the packaging container 100 , particularly when the loading is performed by an automated process, such as a pick-and-place robot.
- an automated process such as a pick-and-place robot.
- the front wall major panel 110 may be bent along the front wall preformed weakness 126 and the rear wall major panel 130 may be bent along the rear wall preformed weakness 146 . Bending also may occur along the first (left) side edges 116 , 136 and the second (right) side edges 118 , 138 . Furthermore, since the upper closure flap 150 and the lower closure flap 170 may both be connected to the rear wall major panel 130 , bending the rear wall major panel 130 along the rear wall preformed weakness 146 may also require bending the upper closure flap 150 along the upper closure flap preformed weakness 156 and bending the lower closure flap 170 along the lower closure flap preformed weakness 176 .
- the packaging container 100 may become parcel or box-like to facilitate loading product 10 ( FIG. 5 ) therein.
- the packaging container 100 may temporarily present four side walls: the front wall first minor panel 122 of the front wall major panel 110 may serve as a first (front) side wall 180 ; the front wall second minor panel 124 of the front wall major panel 110 may serve as a second (left) side wall 182 ; the rear wall first minor panel 142 of the rear wall major panel 130 may serve as a third (rear) wall 184 ; and the rear wall second minor panel 144 of the rear wall major panel 130 may serve as a fourth (right) side wall 186 .
- the packaging container 100 may then be reconfigured to the flattened yet unclosed configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 .
- the front wall major panel 110 may be bent along the front wall preformed weakness 126 and the rear wall major panel 130 may be bent along the rear wall preformed weakness 146 , thereby substantially flattening the front wall major panel 110 and the rear wall major panel 130 , respectively. Bending also may occur along the first (left) side edges 116 , 136 and the second (right) side edges 118 , 138 .
- the upper closure flap 150 and the lower closure flap 170 may both be connected to the rear wall major panel 130 , bending the rear wall major panel 130 along the rear wall preformed weakness 146 may also require bending the upper closure flap 150 along the upper closure flap preformed weakness 156 and bending the lower closure flap 170 along the lower closure flap preformed weakness 176 , thereby substantially flattening the upper closure flap 150 and the lower closure flap 170 , respectively.
- the packaging container 100 may become envelope-like to facilitate reduced shipping cost.
- the packaging container 100 may present two side walls: the front wall first minor panel 122 and the front wall second minor panel 124 of the front wall major panel 110 may serve as a first (front) side wall 181 ; and the rear wall first minor panel 142 and the rear wall second minor panel 144 of the rear wall major panel 130 may serve as a second (rear) side wall 183 .
- the packaging container 100 may include a partition 190 within the internal volume 102 defined by the front wall major panel 110 and the rear wall major panel 130 .
- Plural partitions 190 are shown in FIG. 4 .
- the shapes and configurations of the partitions will be dictated by, among other possible factors, the shape and configuration of the product 10 ( FIG. 5 ) intended to be packaged in the packaging container 100 .
- each partition 190 shown in FIG. 4 extend from the front wall major panel 110 to the rear wall major panel 130 and are connected to both the front wall major panel 110 and the rear wall major panel 130 .
- each partition 190 includes a first portion 192 connected (e.g., with adhesive) to the front wall major panel 110 and a second portion 194 connected (e.g., with adhesive) to the rear wall major panel 130 .
- first portion 192 connected (e.g., with adhesive) to the front wall major panel 110
- a second portion 194 connected (e.g., with adhesive) to the rear wall major panel 130 .
- a partition 190 may extend from the front wall major panel 110 toward the rear wall major panel 130 without necessarily connecting to the rear wall major panel 130 .
- the disclosed packaging container 100 may be assembled from a container blank, such as the container blank 200 shown in FIG. 6 .
- the container blank 200 may be cut (e.g., die cut) from a sheet of stock material to define an outer periphery 202 .
- the stock material may be a cellulosic material, such as paperboard (e.g., solid bleached sulfate paperboard), which may have a printable coating (e.g., clay) on a first major surface thereof and a coated or uncoated second major surface.
- the stock material may be 18 point CARRIERKOTE® paperboard, which is commercially available from WestRock Company of Atlanta, Ga.
- the container blank 200 may include a plurality of preformed lines (e.g., folds, scores, creases, perforations or the like) that define the front wall major panel 110 (including the front wall first minor panel 122 and the front wall second minor panel 124 ), the rear wall major panel 130 (including the rear wall first minor panel 142 and the rear wall second minor panel 144 ), the upper closure flap 150 (including the upper closure flap first minor panel 152 and the upper closure flap second minor panel 154 ), and lower closure flap 170 (including the lower closure flap first minor panel 172 and the lower closure flap second minor panel 174 ).
- preformed lines e.g., folds, scores, creases, perforations or the like
- the container blank 200 may include a sealing flap 210 , which may facilitate connecting (e.g., with an adhesive) the front wall major panel 110 to the rear wall major panel 130 .
- the sealing flap 210 may also define the partitions 190 (see FIG. 4 ).
- FIG. 7 depicts another example of a container blank 300 that may be used to assemble the disclosed packaging container 100 .
- the container blank 300 may include a plurality of preformed lines (e.g., folds, scores, creases, perforations or the like) that define the front wall major panel 110 (including the front wall first minor panel 122 and the front wall second minor panel 124 ), the rear wall major panel 130 (including the rear wall first minor panel 142 and the rear wall second minor panel 144 ), the upper closure flap 150 (including the upper closure flap first minor panel 152 and the upper closure flap second minor panel 154 ), and lower closure flap 170 (including the lower closure flap first minor panel 172 and the lower closure flap second minor panel 174 ).
- preformed lines e.g., folds, scores, creases, perforations or the like
- the container blank 300 may include a sealing flap 310 , which may facilitate connecting (e.g., with an adhesive) the front wall major panel 110 to the rear wall major panel 130 .
- the sealing flap 310 may also define the partitions 190 (see FIG. 4 ).
- various tear-away portions 320 may be included in the container blank 300 .
- the tear-away portions 320 may be defined by perforations, zippering, or the like. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the presence of tear-away portions 320 in the assembled packaging container 100 may facilitate accessing product 10 ( FIG. 5 ) packaged in the packaging container 100 .
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Abstract
A packaging container (100) configurable between at least a loading configuration and a flattened configuration, the packaging container including a front wall major panel (110) and a rear wall major panel (130) connected to the front wall major panel, wherein the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel define four side walls (122, 124, 142, 144) when the packaging container is in the loading configuration, and wherein the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel define two side walls when the packaging container is in the flattened configuration.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/981,912 filed Feb. 26, 2020, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- The present patent application relates to product packaging and shipping, and, more particularly, to packaging containers that are configurable as a box during loading of product into the packaging container and then are reconfigurable as a flat/envelope for purposes of shipping.
- With the advent of ecommerce, consumers have grown accustomed to purchasing various products over the internet or by other electronic means (e.g., email, facsimile or the like). A wide variety of products now move through ecommerce, including various consumer goods (e.g., razor blades, skin care products, and the like). Such products are typically shipped, whether by the Postal Service or by private courier, directly to consumers.
- Manufacturers and distributors engaged in ecommerce continue to look for ways to improve packaging and shipping efficiency, as well as to reduce overall costs. Parcels (e.g., corrugated boxes) are attractive options for shipping consumer goods because they are durable, they can contain relatively large volumes, and they are relatively easy to load using an automated process (e.g., a pick-and-place robot). However, relatively speaking, parcels incur the highest shipping costs.
- Flats (e.g., large envelopes) are an attractive alternative to parcels due to the relatively lower shipping cost associated with flats as compared to parcels. However, flats can be difficult to load, particularly when using an automated process (e.g., a pick-and-place robot) to load product into the flat.
- Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue with research and development efforts in the field of product packaging and shipping.
- Disclosed are packaging containers.
- In one example, the disclosed packaging container is configurable between at least a loading configuration and a flattened configuration, the packaging container including a front wall major panel and a rear wall major panel connected to the front wall major panel, wherein the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel define four side walls when the packaging container is in the loading configuration, and wherein the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel define two side walls when the packaging container is in the flattened configuration.
- In another example, the disclosed packaging container includes a front wall major panel including a front wall first minor panel connected to a front wall second minor panel along a front wall preformed weakness, a rear wall major panel connected to the front wall major panel to at least partially define an internal volume therebetween, the rear wall major panel including a rear wall first minor panel connected to a rear wall second minor panel along a rear wall preformed weakness, and a closure flap connected to the rear wall major panel, the closure flap including a closure flap first minor panel connected to a closure flap second minor panel along a closure flap preformed weakness, wherein the closure flap preformed weakness is substantially aligned with the rear wall preformed weakness.
- Also disclosed are container blanks for assembling the disclosed packaging containers.
- Also disclosed are methods for packaging product in a packaging container.
- In one example, the disclosed method for packaging a product in a packaging container includes steps of (1) configuring the packaging container into a loading configuration, wherein a front wall major panel and a rear wall major panel of the packaging container define four side walls when the packaging container is in the loading configuration, (2) inserting the product into the packaging container while the packaging container is in the loading configuration, and (3) after the inserting, configuring the packaging container into a flattened configuration, wherein the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel define two side walls when the packaging container is in the flattened configuration.
- Other examples of the disclosed packaging containers and associated container blanks and packaging methods will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one example of the disclosed packaging container, shown in a flattened and closed configuration; -
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the packaging container ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the packaging container ofFIG. 1 , but shown in a flattened yet unclosed configuration; -
FIG. 4 is a front and end perspective view of the packaging container ofFIG. 1 , but shown in a loading configuration; -
FIG. 5 is a front and end perspective view of the packaging container ofFIG. 4 loaded with product and reconfigured to the flattened yet unclosed configuration shown inFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 6 is a plan view of one example of a blank that may be used to manufacture the packaging container shown inFIGS. 1-4 ; and -
FIG. 7 is a plan view of another example of a blank that may be used to manufacture a packaging container similar to the packaging container shown inFIGS. 1-4 . - Disclosed are packaging containers that are reconfigurable to facilitate packaging and shipping efficiency at reduced cost. Specifically, the disclosed packaging container may be easily loaded with product (e.g., by an automated process, such as a pick-and-place robot) when the packaging container is in a loading configuration (see
FIG. 4 ). Then, once loaded with product, the packaging container may be reconfigured to a flattened yet unclosed configuration (seeFIGS. 3 and 5 ) and, ultimately, to a flattened and closed (e.g., sealed) configuration (seeFIGS. 1 and 2 ). - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , one example of the disclosed packaging container, generally designated 100, is shown in a flattened and closed configuration. Thepackaging container 100 includes a front wall major panel 110 (FIG. 1 ), a rear wall major panel 130 (FIG. 2 ), anupper closure flap 150, and alower closure flap 170. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , the front wallmajor panel 110 may be generally rectangular and may be defined by anupper edge 112, alower edge 114, a first (left)side edge 116, and a second (right)side edge 118. As best shown inFIG. 3 , theupper edge 112 may be a free edge and thelower edge 114 may be a free edge. Using a front wallmajor panel 110 that is not generally rectangular is also contemplated and will not result in a departure from the scope of the present disclosure. - The front wall
major panel 110 may include a front wall firstminor panel 122 and a front wall secondminor panel 124. The front wall firstminor panel 122 may be connected to the front wall secondminor panel 124 along a front wall preformedweakness 126. The front wall preformedweakness 126 may be formed using various weakening techniques, such as scoring, creasing, perforating or the like. Therefore, the front wall firstminor panel 122 may bend (e.g., hinge) relative to the front wall secondminor panel 124 along the front wall preformedweakness 126. - The front wall preformed
weakness 126 may extend along the front wallmajor panel 110 from proximate (at or near) theupper edge 112 to proximate thelower edge 114. For example, the front wall preformedweakness 126 may extend from theupper edge 112 to thelower edge 114 as a substantially straight line that is substantially parallel with the first (left)side edge 116 of the front wallmajor panel 110. - At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the front wall preformed
weakness 126 may facilitate controlled bending of the front wall firstminor panel 122 relative to the front wall secondminor panel 124. Therefore, when a bending force is applied to the front wall firstminor panel 122 and/or the front wall secondminor panel 124, bending occurs primarily along the front wall preformedweakness 126. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , the rear wallmajor panel 130 may be generally rectangular and may be defined by anupper edge 132, alower edge 134, a first (left)side edge 136, and a second (right)side edge 138. Using a rear wallmajor panel 130 that is not generally rectangular is also contemplated and will not result in a departure from the scope of the present disclosure. - The rear wall
major panel 130 may include a rear wall firstminor panel 142 and a rear wall secondminor panel 144. The rear wall firstminor panel 142 may be connected to the rear wall secondminor panel 144 along a rear wall preformedweakness 146. The rear wall preformedweakness 146 may be formed using various weakening techniques, such as scoring, creasing, perforating or the like. Therefore, the rear wall firstminor panel 142 may bend (e.g., hinge) relative to the rear wall secondminor panel 144 along the rear wall preformedweakness 146. - The rear wall preformed
weakness 146 may extend along the rear wallmajor panel 130 from proximate theupper edge 132 to proximate thelower edge 134. For example, the rear wall preformedweakness 146 may extend from theupper edge 132 to thelower edge 134 as a substantially straight line that is substantially parallel with the first (left)side edge 136 of the rear wallmajor panel 130. - At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the rear wall preformed
weakness 146 may facilitate controlled bending of the rear wall firstminor panel 142 relative to the rear wall secondminor panel 144. Therefore, when a bending force is applied to the rear wall firstminor panel 142 and/or the rear wall secondminor panel 144, bending occurs primarily along the rear wall preformedweakness 146. - As shown in
FIGS. 1-3 , the front wallmajor panel 110 may be connected to the rear wallmajor panel 130, such as by way of a sealing flap (e.g.,sealing flap 210 shown inFIG. 6 or sealingflap 310 shown inFIG. 7 ). For example, the first (left)side edge 116 of the front wallmajor panel 110 may be aligned with the first (left)side edge 136 of the rear wallmajor panel 130, while the second (right)side edge 118 of the front wallmajor panel 110 may be alighted with the second (right)side edge 138 of the rear wallmajor panel 130. - Thus, as best shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 , aninternal volume 102 may be defined between the front wallmajor panel 110 and the rear wallmajor panel 130. Theupper edge 112 of the front wallmajor panel 110 and theupper edge 132 of the rear wallmajor panel 130 may define a first (upper)opening 104 into theinternal volume 102. Thelower edge 114 of the front wallmajor panel 110 and thelower edge 134 of the rear wallmajor panel 130 may define a second (lower)opening 106 into theinternal volume 102. - Referring now to
FIGS. 1 and 3 , theupper closure flap 150 may be connected to the rear wallmajor panel 130 along theupper edge 132 of the rear wallmajor panel 130. Theupper edge 132 of the rear wallmajor panel 130 may include a preformed weakness, such as a score, a crease, perforations or the like, to facilitate controlled bending of theupper closure flap 150 relative to the rear wallmajor panel 130 along theupper edge 132 when reconfiguring theupper closure flap 150 from the unclosed configuration shown inFIG. 3 to the closed configuration shown inFIG. 1 . - At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the first (upper) opening 104 into the
internal volume 102 may be sealed (at least partially, if not fully), as shown inFIG. 1 , by bending theupper closure flap 150 relative to the rear wallmajor panel 130 and securing (e.g., with adhesive or by heat sealing) the upper closure flap 150 against the front wall major panel 110 (e.g., against both the front wall firstminor panel 122 and the front wall second minor panel 124). - The
upper closure flap 150 may include an upper closure flap firstminor panel 152 and an upper closure flap secondminor panel 154. The upper closure flap firstminor panel 152 may be connected to the upper closure flap secondminor panel 154 along an upper closure flap preformedweakness 156. The upper closure flap preformedweakness 156 may be formed using various weakening techniques, such as scoring, creasing, perforating or the like. Therefore, the upper closure flap firstminor panel 152 may bend (e.g., hinge) relative to the upper closure flap secondminor panel 154 along the upper closure flap preformedweakness 156. - The upper closure flap preformed
weakness 156 may extend along theupper closure flap 150 from proximate theupper edge 132 of the rear wallmajor panel 130 to proximate thefree edge 158 of theupper closure flap 150. Furthermore, the upper closure flap preformedweakness 156 may be substantially aligned with the rear wall preformed weakness 146 (FIG. 2 ) of the rear wallmajor panel 130. For example, the upper closure flap preformedweakness 156 and the rear wall preformedweakness 146 may be colinear. - Still referring to
FIGS. 1 and 3 , thelower closure flap 170 may be connected to the rear wallmajor panel 130 along thelower edge 134 of the rear wallmajor panel 130. Thelower edge 134 of the rear wallmajor panel 130 may include a preformed weakness, such as a score, a crease, perforations or the like, to facilitate controlled bending of thelower closure flap 170 relative to the rear wallmajor panel 130 along thelower edge 134 when reconfiguring thelower closure flap 170 from the unclosed configuration shown inFIG. 3 to the closed configuration shown inFIG. 1 . - At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the second (lower)
opening 106 into theinternal volume 102 may be sealed (at least partially, if not fully), as shown inFIG. 1 , by bending thelower closure flap 170 relative to the rear wallmajor panel 130 and securing (e.g., with adhesive or by heat sealing) thelower closure flap 170 against the front wall major panel 110 (e.g., against both the front wall firstminor panel 122 and the front wall second minor panel 124). - The
lower closure flap 170 may include a lower closure flap firstminor panel 172 and a lower closure flap secondminor panel 174. The lower closure flap firstminor panel 172 may be connected to the lower closure flap secondminor panel 174 along a lower closure flap preformedweakness 176. The lower closure flap preformedweakness 176 may be formed using various weakening techniques, such as scoring, creasing, perforating or the like. Therefore, the lower closure flap firstminor panel 172 may bend (e.g., hinge) relative to the lower closure flap secondminor panel 174 along the lower closure flap preformedweakness 176. - The lower closure flap preformed
weakness 176 may extend along thelower closure flap 170 from proximate thelower edge 134 of the rear wallmajor panel 130 to proximate thefree edge 178 of thelower closure flap 170. Furthermore, the lower closure flap preformedweakness 176 may be substantially aligned with the rear wall preformed weakness 146 (FIG. 2 ) of the rear wallmajor panel 130. For example, the lower closure flap preformedweakness 176 and the rear wall preformedweakness 146 may be colinear. - Thus, as shown in
FIGS. 1-3 , the disclosedpackaging container 100 may be configurable as a flat/envelope. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 3 , thepackaging container 100 may be in a flattened yet unclosed configuration prior to theupper closure flap 150 and thelower closure flap 170 being secured to the front wallmajor panel 110. Then, once theupper closure flap 150 and thelower closure flap 170 are secured to the front wallmajor panel 110, thepackaging container 100 may be in a flattened and closed configuration, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 . - Prior to configuring the
packaging container 100 as a flat/envelope, particularly prior to configuring to the flattened and closed configuration shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , thepackaging container 100 may be in the loading configuration shown inFIG. 4 . Configuring thepackaging container 100 in the loading configuration shown inFIG. 4 may facilitate loading product 10 (FIG. 5 ) into theinternal volume 102 of thepackaging container 100, particularly when the loading is performed by an automated process, such as a pick-and-place robot. - To configure the
packaging container 100 to the loading configuration shown inFIG. 4 from the flattened yet unclosed configuration shown inFIG. 3 , the front wallmajor panel 110 may be bent along the front wall preformedweakness 126 and the rear wallmajor panel 130 may be bent along the rear wall preformedweakness 146. Bending also may occur along the first (left) side edges 116, 136 and the second (right) side edges 118, 138. Furthermore, since theupper closure flap 150 and thelower closure flap 170 may both be connected to the rear wallmajor panel 130, bending the rear wallmajor panel 130 along the rear wall preformedweakness 146 may also require bending theupper closure flap 150 along the upper closure flap preformedweakness 156 and bending thelower closure flap 170 along the lower closure flap preformedweakness 176. - Thus, in the loading configuration shown in
FIG. 4 , thepackaging container 100 may become parcel or box-like to facilitate loading product 10 (FIG. 5 ) therein. Specifically, in the loading configuration, thepackaging container 100 may temporarily present four side walls: the front wall firstminor panel 122 of the front wallmajor panel 110 may serve as a first (front)side wall 180; the front wall secondminor panel 124 of the front wallmajor panel 110 may serve as a second (left)side wall 182; the rear wall firstminor panel 142 of the rear wallmajor panel 130 may serve as a third (rear)wall 184; and the rear wall secondminor panel 144 of the rear wallmajor panel 130 may serve as a fourth (right)side wall 186. - Once product 10 (
FIG. 5 ) has been loaded, as desired, into theinternal volume 102 of thepackaging container 100 while thepackaging container 100 is in the loading configuration (FIG. 4 ), thepackaging container 100 may then be reconfigured to the flattened yet unclosed configuration shown inFIGS. 3 and 5 . - To configure the
packaging container 100 to the flattened yet unclosed configuration shown inFIG. 3 from the loading configuration shown inFIG. 4 , the front wallmajor panel 110 may be bent along the front wall preformedweakness 126 and the rear wallmajor panel 130 may be bent along the rear wall preformedweakness 146, thereby substantially flattening the front wallmajor panel 110 and the rear wallmajor panel 130, respectively. Bending also may occur along the first (left) side edges 116, 136 and the second (right) side edges 118, 138. Furthermore, since theupper closure flap 150 and thelower closure flap 170 may both be connected to the rear wallmajor panel 130, bending the rear wallmajor panel 130 along the rear wall preformedweakness 146 may also require bending theupper closure flap 150 along the upper closure flap preformedweakness 156 and bending thelower closure flap 170 along the lower closure flap preformedweakness 176, thereby substantially flattening theupper closure flap 150 and thelower closure flap 170, respectively. - Thus, in the flattened configuration (e.g., the flattened yet unclosed configuration shown in
FIG. 3 ), thepackaging container 100 may become envelope-like to facilitate reduced shipping cost. Specifically, in the flattened configuration, thepackaging container 100 may present two side walls: the front wall firstminor panel 122 and the front wall secondminor panel 124 of the front wallmajor panel 110 may serve as a first (front)side wall 181; and the rear wall firstminor panel 142 and the rear wall secondminor panel 144 of the rear wallmajor panel 130 may serve as a second (rear)side wall 183. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , thepackaging container 100 may include apartition 190 within theinternal volume 102 defined by the front wallmajor panel 110 and the rear wallmajor panel 130.Plural partitions 190 are shown inFIG. 4 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the shapes and configurations of the partitions will be dictated by, among other possible factors, the shape and configuration of the product 10 (FIG. 5 ) intended to be packaged in thepackaging container 100. - The
partitions 190 shown inFIG. 4 extend from the front wallmajor panel 110 to the rear wallmajor panel 130 and are connected to both the front wallmajor panel 110 and the rear wallmajor panel 130. For example, eachpartition 190 includes afirst portion 192 connected (e.g., with adhesive) to the front wallmajor panel 110 and asecond portion 194 connected (e.g., with adhesive) to the rear wallmajor panel 130. However, various other constructions are also contemplated and, if adopted, will not result in a departure from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, apartition 190 may extend from the front wallmajor panel 110 toward the rear wallmajor panel 130 without necessarily connecting to the rear wallmajor panel 130. - The disclosed
packaging container 100 may be assembled from a container blank, such as the container blank 200 shown inFIG. 6 . - The container blank 200 may be cut (e.g., die cut) from a sheet of stock material to define an
outer periphery 202. In one particular construction, the stock material may be a cellulosic material, such as paperboard (e.g., solid bleached sulfate paperboard), which may have a printable coating (e.g., clay) on a first major surface thereof and a coated or uncoated second major surface. As one non-limiting example, the stock material may be 18 point CARRIERKOTE® paperboard, which is commercially available from WestRock Company of Atlanta, Ga. - The container blank 200 may include a plurality of preformed lines (e.g., folds, scores, creases, perforations or the like) that define the front wall major panel 110 (including the front wall first
minor panel 122 and the front wall second minor panel 124), the rear wall major panel 130 (including the rear wall firstminor panel 142 and the rear wall second minor panel 144), the upper closure flap 150 (including the upper closure flap firstminor panel 152 and the upper closure flap second minor panel 154), and lower closure flap 170 (including the lower closure flap firstminor panel 172 and the lower closure flap second minor panel 174). Additionally, the container blank 200 may include asealing flap 210, which may facilitate connecting (e.g., with an adhesive) the front wallmajor panel 110 to the rear wallmajor panel 130. In addition to facilitating the connection between the front wallmajor panel 110 and the rear wallmajor panel 130, the sealingflap 210 may also define the partitions 190 (seeFIG. 4 ). -
FIG. 7 depicts another example of a container blank 300 that may be used to assemble the disclosedpackaging container 100. The container blank 300 may include a plurality of preformed lines (e.g., folds, scores, creases, perforations or the like) that define the front wall major panel 110 (including the front wall firstminor panel 122 and the front wall second minor panel 124), the rear wall major panel 130 (including the rear wall firstminor panel 142 and the rear wall second minor panel 144), the upper closure flap 150 (including the upper closure flap firstminor panel 152 and the upper closure flap second minor panel 154), and lower closure flap 170 (including the lower closure flap firstminor panel 172 and the lower closure flap second minor panel 174). Additionally, the container blank 300 may include asealing flap 310, which may facilitate connecting (e.g., with an adhesive) the front wallmajor panel 110 to the rear wallmajor panel 130. In addition to facilitating the connection between the front wallmajor panel 110 and the rear wallmajor panel 130, the sealingflap 310 may also define the partitions 190 (seeFIG. 4 ). - Optionally, as shown in the
FIG. 7 , various tear-awayportions 320 may be included in thecontainer blank 300. The tear-awayportions 320 may be defined by perforations, zippering, or the like. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the presence of tear-awayportions 320 in the assembledpackaging container 100 may facilitate accessing product 10 (FIG. 5 ) packaged in thepackaging container 100. - Although various examples of the disclosed packaging containers and associated container blanks and packaging methods have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.
Claims (21)
1. A packaging container configurable between at least a loading configuration and a flattened configuration, the packaging container comprising a front wall major panel and a rear wall major panel connected to the front wall major panel, wherein the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel define four side walls when the packaging container is in the loading configuration, and wherein the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel define two side walls when the packaging container is in the flattened configuration.
2. The packaging container of claim 1 further comprising an upper closure flap connected to the rear wall major panel and sealable against the front wall major panel.
3. The packaging container of claim 3 further comprising a lower closure flap connected to the rear wall major panel and sealable against the front wall major panel.
4. A packaging container comprising:
a front wall major panel comprising a front wall first minor panel connected to a front wall second minor panel along a front wall preformed weakness;
a rear wall major panel connected to the front wall major panel to at least partially define an internal volume therebetween, the rear wall major panel comprising a rear wall first minor panel connected to a rear wall second minor panel along a rear wall preformed weakness; and
a closure flap connected to the rear wall major panel, the closure flap comprising a closure flap first minor panel connected to a closure flap second minor panel along a closure flap preformed weakness, wherein the closure flap preformed weakness is substantially aligned with the rear wall preformed weakness.
5. The packaging container of claim 4 wherein the front wall preformed weakness comprises at least one of a score, a crease and a perforation.
6. The packaging container of claim 4 wherein the rear wall preformed weakness comprises at least one of a score, a crease and a perforation.
7. The packaging container of claim 4 wherein the closure flap preformed weakness comprises at least one of a score, a crease and a perforation.
8. The packaging container of claim 4 wherein the closure flap is an upper closure flap, and further comprising a lower closure flap connected to the rear wall major panel, the lower closure flap comprising a lower closure flap first minor panel connected to a lower closure flap second minor panel along a lower closure flap preformed weakness, wherein the lower closure flap preformed weakness is substantially aligned with the rear wall preformed weakness.
9. The packaging container of claim 8 wherein the lower closure flap preformed weakness is substantially aligned with the upper closure flap preformed weakness.
10. The packaging container of claim 4 wherein the rear wall major panel and the front wall major panel define an opening into the internal volume, and wherein the closure flap at least partially seals the opening when the closure flap is secured to the front wall major panel.
11. The packaging container of claim 4 configurable between at least a loading configuration and a flattened configuration.
12. The packaging container of claim 11 wherein the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel define four side walls when the packaging container is in the loading configuration, and wherein the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel define two side walls when the packaging container is in the flattened configuration.
13. The packaging container of claim 12 wherein the four side walls are defined by the front wall first minor panel, the front wall second minor panel, the rear wall first minor panel and the rear wall second minor panel, respectively.
14. The packaging container of claim 12 wherein the two side walls comprise a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the first side wall is defined by the front wall first minor panel and the front wall second minor panel, and wherein the second side wall is defined by the rear wall first minor panel and the rear wall second minor panel.
15. The packaging container of claim 4 further comprising at least one partition received in the internal volume.
16. The packaging container of claim 15 wherein the partition is connected to both the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel.
17. A container blank for assembling the packaging container of claim 1 or claim 4 .
18. The container blank of claim 17 comprising paperboard.
19. The container blank of claim 17 comprising a sealing flap.
20. The container blank of claim 17 comprising a tear-away portion.
21. A method for packaging a product in a packaging container, the packaging container comprising a front wall major panel and a rear wall major panel connected to the front wall major panel, the method comprising:
configuring the packaging container into a loading configuration, wherein the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel define four side walls when the packaging container is in the loading configuration;
inserting the product into the packaging container while the packaging container is in the loading configuration; and
after the inserting, configuring the packaging container into a flattened configuration, wherein the front wall major panel and the rear wall major panel define two side walls when the packaging container is in the flattened configuration.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/802,463 US20230095437A1 (en) | 2020-02-26 | 2021-02-26 | Packaging containers and associated container blanks and packaging methods |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US202062981912P | 2020-02-26 | 2020-02-26 | |
PCT/US2021/019969 WO2021174042A1 (en) | 2020-02-26 | 2021-02-26 | Packaging containers and associated container blanks and packaging methods |
US17/802,463 US20230095437A1 (en) | 2020-02-26 | 2021-02-26 | Packaging containers and associated container blanks and packaging methods |
Publications (1)
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US20230095437A1 true US20230095437A1 (en) | 2023-03-30 |
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ID=75173434
Family Applications (1)
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US17/802,463 Abandoned US20230095437A1 (en) | 2020-02-26 | 2021-02-26 | Packaging containers and associated container blanks and packaging methods |
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US (1) | US20230095437A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4132858A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN115397736A (en) |
CA (1) | CA3169660A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2022010575A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2021174042A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6033115A (en) * | 1998-11-23 | 2000-03-07 | Ncr Corporation | Expandable rib storage pouch |
US10239652B2 (en) * | 2016-09-14 | 2019-03-26 | Medline Industries, Inc. | Container for examination gloves |
US10358254B2 (en) * | 2015-03-09 | 2019-07-23 | Fisher Clinical Services, Inc. | Zipper carton assemblies for blinded clinical trials and methods of assembly and use |
US10577144B2 (en) * | 2016-10-18 | 2020-03-03 | Fisher Clinical Services, Inc. | Replacement panel assembly for sealing carton assembly and methods of assembly and use |
US10981692B2 (en) * | 2019-09-12 | 2021-04-20 | Pratt Corrugated Holdings, Inc. | Dual use box |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9061477B2 (en) * | 2007-12-13 | 2015-06-23 | Kitaru Innovations Inc. | Method and apparatus for making, shipping and erecting boxes |
-
2021
- 2021-02-26 CN CN202180031112.1A patent/CN115397736A/en active Pending
- 2021-02-26 MX MX2022010575A patent/MX2022010575A/en unknown
- 2021-02-26 WO PCT/US2021/019969 patent/WO2021174042A1/en unknown
- 2021-02-26 EP EP21714040.9A patent/EP4132858A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2021-02-26 CA CA3169660A patent/CA3169660A1/en active Pending
- 2021-02-26 US US17/802,463 patent/US20230095437A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6033115A (en) * | 1998-11-23 | 2000-03-07 | Ncr Corporation | Expandable rib storage pouch |
US10358254B2 (en) * | 2015-03-09 | 2019-07-23 | Fisher Clinical Services, Inc. | Zipper carton assemblies for blinded clinical trials and methods of assembly and use |
US10239652B2 (en) * | 2016-09-14 | 2019-03-26 | Medline Industries, Inc. | Container for examination gloves |
US10577144B2 (en) * | 2016-10-18 | 2020-03-03 | Fisher Clinical Services, Inc. | Replacement panel assembly for sealing carton assembly and methods of assembly and use |
US10981692B2 (en) * | 2019-09-12 | 2021-04-20 | Pratt Corrugated Holdings, Inc. | Dual use box |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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WO2021174042A1 (en) | 2021-09-02 |
EP4132858A1 (en) | 2023-02-15 |
CA3169660A1 (en) | 2021-09-02 |
MX2022010575A (en) | 2022-10-27 |
CN115397736A (en) | 2022-11-25 |
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