Granted Patent B2

US 7,451,878 · App. 10/485,581 · Granted Nov 18, 2008

Abstract

Claims (171)

1. A shipping container convertible to a display container, comprising:

an outer wrap including a bottom wall;

a front wall connected to a front edge of the bottom wall;

a rear wall connected to a rear edge of the bottom wall;

a first top panel connected to a top edge of the front wall and extending rearwardly therefrom;

a second top panel connected to a top edge of the rear wall and extending forwardly therefrom;

first and second front side panels connected to respective side edges of the front wall and extending rearwardly therefrom;

first and second rear side panels connected to respective side edges of the rear wall and extending forwardly therefrom;

first and second bottom side flaps connected to side edges of the bottom wall and extending upwardly therefrom, the first and second bottom side flaps overlapping lower portions of the first and second front and rear side panels;

first and second front top flaps connected to side edges of the first top panel, and extending downwardly therefrom;

first and second rear top flaps connected to side edges of the second top panel, and extending downwardly therefrom;

an opening disposed in at least one of the front wall and the rear wall, extending from one side edge to an opposite side edge of the at least one of the front wall and the rear wall, dividing the at least one of the front wall and the rear wall into a lower face panel having an upper free edge and an upper face panel having a lower free edge; and

at least one of the front wall, rear wall, first and second top panels, first and second front side panels, and first and second rear side panels including regions of weakness, wherein the regions of weakness comprise:

a first perforation, extending from the lower free edge of the upper face panel toward a top edge of the upper face panel, adjacent one side edge thereof;

a second perforation, extending from the lower free edge of the upper face panel toward the top edge of the upper face panel, adjacent an opposite side edge thereof; and

a third perforation, extending along the top edge of the upper face panel, the first, second and third perforations enabling the facilitated removal of the upper face panel from remaining portions of the shipping container,

wherein the regions of weakness facilitate removal of portions of at least one of the front wall, rear wall, first and second top panels, first and second front side panels, and first and second rear side panels for facilitated access to an interior region of the shipping container.

2. The shipping container convertible to a display container, according to claim 1 , further comprising:

an internal support structure including at least one internal wall member extending vertically between the bottom wall and at least one of the first and second top panels.

3. The shipping container according to claim 2 , wherein the internal support structure has an E-shaped top plan configuration.

4. The shipping container according to claim 2 , wherein the internal support structure is in the form of a symmetric H-shaped divider.

5. The shipping container according to claim 2 , wherein the internal support structure is in the form of an asymmetrical H-shaped divider.

6. The shipping container according to claim 2 , wherein the internal support structure is in the form of a five-cell divider, having an internal diamond-shaped column.

7. The shipping container according to claim 2 , wherein the internal support structure is in the form of a linked “C” four cell support divider.

8. The shipping container according to claim 2 , wherein the internal support structure is in the form of a five cell divider having an internal rectangular columnar support.

9. The shipping container according to claim 2 , wherein the internal support structure is in the form of an asymmetrical three cell divider.

10. The shipping container according to claim 2 , wherein the internal support structure is in the form of single cell “U” shaped support divider.

11. The shipping container according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second front top flaps are affixed to the first and second front side panels, respectively, and wherein the regions of weakness further comprise:

first and second pairs of lines of perforations, disposed in the first and second front side panels, respectively, defining first and second zipper pull tabs, respectively, whereupon removal of the first and second zipper pull tabs, the upper face panel, the first top panel, first and second front top flaps and upper portions of the first and second front side panels are removable as a unit, to provide front and top access to remaining portions of the shipping container.

12. The shipping container according to claim 11 , wherein the first and second rear top flaps are affixed to the first and second rear side panels, respectively, and wherein the regions of weakness further comprise:

first and second pairs of lines of perforations, disposed in the first and second rear side panels, respectively, and extending into and meeting in the rear wall panel, defining at least a third zipper pull tab, respectively, whereupon removal of the first, second, and at least third zipper pull tabs, the upper face panel, the first top panel, first and second front top flaps, upper portions of the first and second front side panels, the second top panel, first and second rear top flaps, upper portions of the first and second rear side panels, and an upper portion of the rear wall are removable as a unit, to provide front, top and rear access to remaining portions of the shipping container.

13. The shipping container according to claim 12 , wherein the internal support structure is affixed only to at least one of the top wall, the upper face panel, an upper portion of the first front side panel, an upper portion of the second front side panel, an upper portion of the first rear side panel, an upper portion of the second rear side panel, and an upper portion of the rear wall, whereupon removal of the first, second and at least third zipper pull tabs, the internal support structure is removable with the upper face panel, the first top panel, first and second front top flaps, upper portions of the first and second front side panels, the second top panel, first and second rear top flaps, upper portions of the first and second rear side panels, and an upper portion of the rear wall, as a unit, leaving an open-topped tray as a remaining structure.

14. The shipping container according to claim 11 , wherein the first and second rear top flaps are affixed to the first and second rear side panels, respectively, and wherein the regions of weakness further comprise:

a tear tape, disposed in the first and second rear side panels, and extending across the rear wall panel, whereupon removal of the first and second zipper pull tabs and the tear tape, the upper face panel, the first top panel, first and second front top flaps, upper portions of the first and second front side panels, the second top panel, first and second rear top flaps, upper portions of the first and second rear side panels, and an upper portion of the rear wall are removable as a unit, to provide front, top and rear access to remaining portions of the shipping container.

15. The shipping container according to claim 14 , wherein the internal support structure is affixed only to at least one of the top wall, the upper face panel, an upper portion of the first front side panel, an upper portion of the second front side panel, an upper portion of the first rear side panel, an upper portion of the second rear side panel, and an upper portion of the rear wall, whereupon removal of the first and second zipper pull tabs and the tear tape, the internal support structure is removable with the upper face panel, the first top panel, first and second front top flaps, upper portions of the first and second front side panels, the second top panel, first and second rear top flaps, upper portions of the first and second rear side panels, and an upper portion of the rear wall, as a unit, leaving an open-topped tray as a remaining structure.

16. The shipping container according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one internal wall member extending vertically between the bottom wall and at least one of the first and second top panels, includes at least one outwardly projecting tab, and wherein at least one of the first top panel, the second top panel, the front wall and the rear wall includes a notch operably configured for insertably receiving the at least one outwardly projecting tab.

17. The shipping container according to claim 2 , wherein the internal support structure is fabricated from a blank separate and apart from the outer wrap.

18. A shipping container convertible to a display container, comprising a first blank having:

a rectangular bottom wall;

a front wall emanating from a front edge of the bottom wall;

a rear wall emanating from an opposite rear edge of the bottom wall;

a first top panel emanating from an edge of the front wall opposite the front edge of the bottom wall;

a second top panel emanating from an edge of the rear wall opposite the front edge of the bottom wall;

first and second front side panels emanating from respective first and second side edges of the front wall;

first and second rear side panels emanating from respective first and second side edges of the rear wall;

first and second bottom side flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the bottom wall, the first and second side edges extending substantially perpendicular to the front and rear edges of the bottom wall;

first and second front top flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the first top panel;

first and second rear top flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the second top panel;

an opening disposed in at least one of the front wall and the rear wall, extending from one side edge to an opposite side edge of the at least one of the front wall and the rear wall, dividing the at least one of the front wall and the rear wall into a lower face panel having an upper free edge and an upper face panel having a lower free edge;

at least one of the front wall, rear wall, first and second top panels, first and second front side panels, and first and second rear side panels including regions of weakness, wherein the regions of weakness comprise:

a first perforation, extending from the lower free edge of the upper face panel toward a top edge of the upper face panel, adjacent one side edge thereof;

a second perforation, extending from the lower free edge of the upper face panel toward the top edge of the upper face panel, adjacent an opposite side edge thereof; and

a third perforation, extending along the top edge of the upper face panel, the first, second and third perforations enabling the facilitated removal of the upper face panel from remaining portions of the shipping container,

wherein the regions of weakness facilitate removal of portions of at least one of the front wall, rear wall, first and second top panels, first and second front side panels, and first and second rear side panels for facilitated access to an interior region of the shipping container.

19. The shipping container according to claim 18 , further comprising an internal support structure formed from a blank including first and second center panels, foldably connected along adjacent respective top edges thereof;

first and second back panels, foldably connected along first and second collinear fold lines to respective first and second rear edges of the first and second center panels; and

first and second side panels, foldably connected along third and fourth collinear fold lines to respective first and second outer edges of the first and second back panels, opposite the first and second collinear fold lines, respectively.

20. The shipping container according to claim 18 , wherein the regions of weakness further comprise:

first and second pairs of lines of perforations, disposed in the first and second front side panels, respectively, defining first and second zipper pull tabs, respectively.

21. The shipping container according to claim 18 , wherein the regions of weakness further comprise:

first and second pairs of lines of perforations, disposed in the first and second rear side panels, respectively, and extending into and meeting in the rear wall panel, defining at least a third zipper pull tab.

22. The shipping container according to claim 18 , wherein the regions of weakness further comprise:

a tear tape, disposed in the first and second rear side panels, and extending across the rear wall panel.

23. A shipping container convertible to a display container, comprising:

an outer wrap including a bottom wall;

a front wall connected to a front edge of the bottom wall;

a rear wall connected to a rear edge of the bottom wall;

a first top panel connected to a top edge of the front wall and extending rearwardly therefrom;

a second top panel connected to a top edge of the rear wall and extending forwardly therefrom;

first and second front side panels connected to respective side edges of the front wall and extending rearwardly therefrom;

first and second rear side panels connected to respective side edges of the rear wall and extending forwardly therefrom;

first and second bottom side flaps connected to side edges of the bottom wall and extending upwardly therefrom, the first and second bottom side flaps overlapping lower portions of the first and second front and rear side panels;

first and second front top flaps connected to side edges of the first top panel, and extending downwardly therefrom, wherein the first and second front top flaps are affixed to the first and second front side panels, respectively;

first and second rear top flaps connected to side edges of the second top panel, and extending downwardly therefrom;

an opening disposed in at least one of the front wall and the rear wall, extending from one side edge to an opposite side edge of the at least one of the front wall and the rear wall, dividing the at least one of the front wall and the rear wall into a lower face panel having an upper free edge and an upper face panel having a lower free edge; and

at least one of the front wall, rear wall, first and second top panels, first and second front side panels, and first and second rear side panels including regions of weakness, wherein the regions of weakness comprise:

first and second pairs of lines of perforations, disposed in the first and second front side panels, respectively, defining first and second zipper pull tabs, respectively, whereupon removal of the first and second zipper pull tabs, the upper face panel, the top panel, first and second front top flaps and upper portions of the first and second front side panels are removable as a unit, to provide front and top access to remaining portions of the shipping container.

24. A shipping container convertible to a display container, comprising:

an outer wrap including a bottom wall;

a front wall connected to a front edge of the bottom wall;

a rear wall connected to a rear edge of the bottom wall;

a first top panel connected to a top edge of the front wall and extending rearwardly therefrom;

a second top panel connected to a top edge of the rear wall and extending forwardly therefrom;

first and second front side panels connected to respective side edges of the front wall and extending rearwardly therefrom;

first and second rear side panels connected to respective side edges of the rear wall and extending forwardly therefrom;

first and second bottom side flaps connected to side edges of the bottom wall and extending upwardly therefrom, the first and second bottom side flaps overlapping lower portions of the first and second front and rear side panels;

first and second front top flaps connected to side edges of the first top panel, and extending downwardly therefrom, wherein the first and second front top flaps are affixed to the first and second front side panels, respectively;

first and second rear top flaps connected to side edges of the second top panel, and extending downwardly therefrom; and

at least one of the front wall, rear wall, first and second top panels, first and second front side panels, and first and second rear side panels including regions of weakness, wherein the regions of weakness comprise:

a first pair of lines of perforations disposed on the first front side panel, a second pair of lines of perforations disposed on the second front side panel, the first and second lines of perforations defining a first zipper pull tab and a second zipper pull tab on the respective side panels, wherein the first zipper pull tab and the second zipper pull tab are connected by a curvilinear line of weakness extending between the side edges of the front wall and along at least a portion of the top edge of the front wall, whereupon removal of the first zipper pull tab and the second zipper pull tab, an upper portion of the front wall, the first top panel, first and second front top flaps and upper portions of the first and second front side panels are removable as a unit along the curvilinear line of weakness, to provide front and top access to remaining portions of the shipping container.

25. The shipping container according to claim 24 , wherein first and second rear top flaps are connected to side edges of the second top panel, and extending downwardly therefrom, wherein the first and second rear top flaps are affixed to the first and second rear side panels, respectively, and wherein the regions of weakness further comprise:

a third pair of lines of perforations disposed on the first rear side panel and at least a portion of the rear wall, a fourth pair of lines of perforations disposed on the second rear side panel and at least a portion of the rear wall, the third and fourth lines of perforations defining a first rear tear strip and a second rear tear strip respectively, wherein the first and second rear tear strips abut on the rear wall, whereupon removal of the first and second rear tear strips, an upper portion of the rear wall, the second top panel, first and second rear top flaps and upper portions of the first and second rear side panels are removable as a unit, to provide rear and top access to remaining portions of the shipping container.

26. A shipping container convertible to a display container, comprising:

an outer wrap including a bottom wall;

a front wall connected to a front edge of the bottom wall;

a rear wall connected to a rear edge of the bottom wall;

a first top panel connected to a top edge of the front wall and extending rearwardly therefrom;

a second top panel connected to a top edge of the rear wall and extending forwardly therefrom;

first and second front side panels connected to respective side edges of the front wall and extending rearwardly therefrom;

first and second rear side panels connected to respective side edges of the rear wall and extending forwardly therefrom;

first and second bottom side flaps connected to side edges of the bottom wall and extending upwardly therefrom, the first and second bottom side flaps overlapping lower portions of the first and second front and rear side panels;

first and second front top flaps connected to side edges of the first top panel, and extending downwardly therefrom, wherein the first and second front top flaps are affixed to the first and second front side panels, respectively;

first and second rear top flaps connected to side edges of the second top panel, and extending downwardly therefrom; and

at least one of the front wall, rear wall, first and second top panels, first and second front side panels, and first and second rear side panels including regions of weakness, wherein the regions of weakness comprise:

a line of weakness disposed on the first front side panel, the front wall and the second front side panel such that the line of weakness extends at least partially along a central portion of the top edge of the front wall, whereupon separating along the line of weakness provides front access to remaining portions of the shipping container.

27. A shipping container convertible to a display container, comprising:

an outer wrap including a bottom wall;

a front wall connected to a front edge of the bottom wall, the front wall having an area;

a rear wall connected to a rear edge of the bottom wall;

a first top panel connected to a top edge of the front wall and extending rearwardly therefrom;

a second top panel connected to a top edge of the rear wall and extending forwardly therefrom;

first and second front side panels connected to respective side edges of the front wall and extending rearwardly therefrom;

first and second rear side panels connected to respective side edges of the rear wall and extending forwardly therefrom;

first and second bottom side flaps connected to side edges of the bottom wall and extending upwardly therefrom, the first and second bottom side flaps overlapping lower portions of the first and second front and rear side panels;

first and second front top flaps connected to side edges of the first top panel, and extending downwardly therefrom;

first and second rear top flaps connected to side edges of the second top panel, and extending downwardly therefrom; and

at least one of the front wall, rear wall, first and second top panels, first and second front side panels, and first and second rear side panels including regions of weakness for facilitating removal of portions thereof, wherein a first region of weakness facilitates removal of a portion of the front wall creating an access opening having an area greater than one half of the area of the front wall for facilitated access to an interior region of the shipping container and wherein the perimeter of the first region of weakness includes a substantially continuous curvilinear portion extending between opposing side edges of the front wall.

28. A shipping container convertible to a display container, comprising a first blank having:

a rectangular bottom wall;

a front wall emanating from a front edge of the bottom wall;

a rear wall emanating from an opposite rear edge of the bottom wall;

a first top panel emanating from an edge of the front wall opposite the front edge of the bottom wall;

a second top panel emanating from an edge of the rear wall opposite the front edge of the bottom wall;

first and second front side panels emanating from respective first and second side edges of the front wall;

first and second rear side panels emanating from respective first and second side edges of the rear wall;

first and second bottom side flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the bottom wall, the first and second side edges extending substantially perpendicular to the front and rear edges of the bottom wall;

first and second front top flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the first top panel;

first and second rear top flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the second top panel;

an opening disposed in at least one of the front wall and the rear wall, extending from one side edge to an opposite side edge of the at least one of the front wall and the rear wall, dividing the at least one of the front wall and the rear wall into a lower face panel having an upper free edge and an upper face panel having a lower free edge; and

at least one of the front wall, rear wall, first and second top panels, first and second front side panels, and first and second rear side panels including regions of weakness, wherein the regions of weakness comprise:

first and second pairs of lines of perforations, disposed in the first and second front side panels, respectively, defining first and second zipper pull tabs, respectively, whereupon removal of the first and second zipper pull tabs, the upper face panel, the first top panel, first and second front top flaps and upper portions of the first and second front side panels are removable as a unit, to provide front and top access to remaining portions of the shipping container.

29. A shipping container convertible to a display container, comprising a first blank having:

a rectangular bottom wall;

a front wall emanating from a front edge of the bottom wall;

a rear wall emanating from an opposite rear edge of the bottom wall;

a first top panel emanating from an edge of the front wall opposite the front edge of the bottom wall;

a second top panel emanating from an edge of the rear wall opposite the front edge of the bottom wall;

first and second front side panels emanating from respective first and second side edges of the front wall;

first and second rear side panels emanating from respective first and second side edges of the rear wall;

first and second bottom side flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the bottom wall, the first and second side edges extending substantially perpendicular to the front and rear edges of the bottom wall;

first and second front top flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the first top panel;

first and second rear top flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the second top panel; and

at least one of the front wall, rear wall, first and second top panels, first and second front side panels, and first and second rear side panels including regions of weakness, wherein the regions of weakness comprise:

a first pair of lines of perforations disposed on the first front side panel, a second pair of lines of perforations disposed on the second front side panel, the first and second lines of perforations defining a first zipper pull tab and a second zipper pull tab on the respective side panels, wherein the first zipper pull tab and the second zipper pull tab are connected by a curvilinear line of weakness extending between the side edges of the front wall and along at least a portion of the top edge of the front wall, whereupon removal of the first zipper pull tab and the second zipper pull tab, an upper portion of the front wall, the first top panel, first and second front top flaps and upper portions of the first and second front side panels are removable as a unit along the curvilinear line of weakness, to provide front and top access to remaining portions of the shipping container.

30. The shipping container according to claim 29 , wherein the regions of weakness further comprise:

a third pair of lines of perforations disposed on the first rear side panel and at least a portion of the rear wall, a fourth pair of lines of perforations disposed on the second rear side panel and at least a portion of the rear wall, the third and fourth lines of perforations defining a first rear tear strip and a second rear tear strip respectively, wherein the first and second rear tear strips abut on the rear wall, whereupon removal of the first and second rear tear strips, an upper portion of the rear wall, the second top panel, first and second rear top flaps and upper portions of the first and second rear side panels are removable as a unit, to provide rear and top access to remaining portions of the shipping container.

31. A shipping container convertible to a display container, comprising a first blank having:

a rectangular bottom wall;

a front wall emanating from a front edge of the bottom wall;

a rear wall emanating from an opposite rear edge of the bottom wall;

a first top panel emanating from an edge of the front wall opposite the front edge of the bottom wall;

a second top panel emanating from an edge of the rear wall opposite the front edge of the bottom wall;

first and second front side panels emanating from respective first and second side edges of the front wall;

first and second rear side panels emanating from respective first and second side edges of the rear wall;

first and second bottom side flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the bottom wall, the first and second side edges extending substantially perpendicular to the front and rear edges of the bottom wall;

first and second front top flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the first top panel;

first and second rear top flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the second top panel; and

at least one of the front wall, rear wall, first and second top panels, first and second front side panels, and first and second rear side panels including regions of weakness, wherein the regions of weakness comprise:

a line of weakness disposed on the first front side panel, the front wall and the second front side panel such that the line of weakness extends at least partially along a central portion of the top edge of the front wall, whereupon separating along the line of weakness provides front access to remaining portions of the shipping container.

32. A shipping container convertible to a display container, comprising a first blank having:

a rectangular bottom wall;

a front wall emanating from a front edge of the bottom wall, the front wall having an area;

a rear wall emanating from an opposite rear edge of the bottom wall;

a first top panel emanating from an edge of the front wall opposite the front edge of the bottom wall;

a second top panel emanating from an edge of the rear wall opposite the front edge of the bottom wall;

first and second front side panels emanating from respective first and second side edges of the front wall;

first and second rear side panels emanating from respective first and second side edges of the rear wall;

first and second bottom side flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the bottom wall, the first and second side edges extending substantially perpendicular to the front and rear edges of the bottom wall;

first and second front top flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the first top panel;

first and second rear top flaps emanating from first and second side edges of the second top panel; and

at least one of the front wall, rear wall, first and second top panels, first and second front side panels, and first and second rear side panels including regions of weakness for facilitating removal of portions thereof, wherein a first region of weakness facilitates removal of a portion of the front wall creating an access opening having an area greater than one half of the area of the front wall for facilitated access to an interior region of the shipping container and wherein the perimeter of the first region of weakness includes a substantially continuous curvilinear portion extending between opposing edges of the front wall.

Assignments (12)