Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PRODUCT CONTAINERS, PACKAGING SYSTEMS,
PACKAGING METHODS, AND BLANKS AND METHODS
FOR MAKING PRODUCT CONTAINERS
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to product packaging and, more
particularly, to product
containers that are made from recyclable materials and that include dunnage
panels for securing
product, methods for packaging product, and blanks and methods for making
product containers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Retail products are commonly packaged and shipped in containers. Many
shipping
containers include supplemental packaging materials, such as plastic molds,
packaging peanuts,
bubble wrap, air-filled bags, and the like, to hold the product in place,
prevent it from being
jostled around an interior of the shipping container, and otherwise protect
the product from
damage during shipping. However, such supplemental packaging materials are
often not
recyclable and/or product large amounts of material waste.
[0003] Moreover, for cost and environmental considerations, such shipping
containers need to
be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage in
the materials from
which they are formed as possible. Further considerations are the strength of
the container and its
suitability for holding and transporting the product.
[0004] Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue with research and
development efforts in
the field of product packaging.
SUMMARY
[0005] Disclosed are a product container, a packaging system, a blank for
making a product
container, a method for making a product container, and a method for packaging
product. The
following is a non-exhaustive list of examples, which may or may not be
claimed, of the subject
matter according to the present disclosure.
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100061 In an example, the disclosed product container includes a container
body that defines an
internal volume. The product container also includes a first dunnage panel
located in the internal
volume of the container body. The first dunnage panel includes a plurality of
discontinuous lines
of weakness. The product container further includes a second dunnage panel
located in the
internal volume of the container body. The first dunnage panel and the second
dunnage panel are
substantially aligned and are laterally spaced apart to secure an article
therebetween.
100071 In another examples, the disclosed product container includes a
container body that
defines an internal volume. The product container also includes a first
dunnage panel located in
the internal volume of the container body. The first dunnage panel includes a
plurality of
discontinuous lines of weakness. The product container further includes a
second dunnage panel
located in the internal volume of the container body. The second dunnage panel
includes a
plurality of second discontinuous lines of weakness. The first dunnage panel
and the second
dunnage panel are substantially aligned and are laterally spaced apart to
secure an article
therebetween.
100081 In an example, the disclosed packaging system includes a container
including a
container body that defines an internal volume of the container. The packaging
system also
includes a first dunnage panel located in the internal volume of the
container. The first dunnage
panel includes a plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness. The packaging
system further
includes a second dunnage panel located in the internal volume of the
container. The first
dunnage panel and the second dunnage panel are substantially aligned and are
laterally spaced
apart. The packaging system additionally includes an article located in the
internal volume of the
container and secured between the first dunnage panel and the second dunnage
panel.
100091 In an example, the disclosed blank includes a series of panels
connected along a
plurality of fold lines. A first one of the series of panels includes a
plurality of discontinuous
lines of weakness. The series of panels is foldable about the plurality of
fold lines to form a
container body that defines an internal volume from a plurality of the series
of panels, a first
dunnage panel located in the internal volume of the container body from the
first one of the
series of panels, and a second dunnage panel located in the internal volume of
the container body
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from a second one of the series of panels. The first dunnage panel and the
second dunnage panel
are substantially aligned and are laterally spaced apart.
100101 In an example, the disclosed method for forming a product container
includes steps of:
(1) forming a plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness in a first one of a
series of panels
connected along a plurality of fold lines; and (2) folding the series of
panels about the plurality
of fold lines to form a container body that defines an internal volume from a
plurality of the
series of panels, a first dunnage panel located in the internal volume of the
container body from
the first one of the series of panels, and a second dunnage panel located in
the internal volume of
the container body from a second one of the series of panels. The first
dunnage panel and the
second dunnage panel are substantially aligned and are laterally spaced apart.
100111 In an example, the disclosed method for packaging product includes
steps of partially
assembling a product container by folding a series of panels of a blank along
a plurality of fold
lines provided therein to form a container body that defines an internal
volume, a first dunnage
panel located in the internal volume of the container body and including a
plurality of
discontinuous lines of weakness, and a second dunnage panel located in the
internal volume of
the container body. The first dunnage panel and the second dunnage panel are
substantially
aligned and are laterally spaced apart. The method also includes a step of
securing an article
between the first dunnage panel and the second dunnage panel.
100121 Other examples of the disclosed product container, packaging system,
blank, and
methods will become apparent from the following detailed description, the
accompanying
drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
100131 Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a first example of a blank used to form a
product container;
100141 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a first example of the product
container;
100151 Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the first example of the
product container;
100161 Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the first example of the product
container;
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[0017] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the first example of the product
container, shown in a
partially assembled condition;
[0018] Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a second example of the blank used to form
the product
container;
[0019] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a second example of the product
container;
[0020] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the second example of the product
container;
[0021] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the second example of the product
container, shown in a
partially assembled condition;
[0022] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the second example of the product
container; and
[0023] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an example of a dunnage panel of the
product container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring generally to Figs. 1-11, by way of examples, the present
disclosure is
directed to a product container 110, a blank 300 for forming the product
container 110, and a
packaging system 100 that uses the product container 110 to securely contain
product. The
product container 110 is used to secure and protect product (e.g., articles of
product) contained
by the product container 110 without the need for or use of supplemental
packaging materials,
such as plastic molds, packaging peanuts, bubble wrap, air-filled bags, and
the like.
[0025] Fig. 1 illustrates a first example of the blank 300 for forming a first
example of the
product container 110. Figs. 2-5 illustrate the first example of the product
container 110 used for
the packaging system 100. Fig. 6 illustrates a second example of the blank 300
for forming s
second example of the product container 110. Figs. 7-10 illustrate the second
example of the
product container 110 used for the packaging system 100. Fig. 11 illustrates
an example of a
dunnage panel (e.g., first dunnage panel 210 and/or second dunnage panel 212)
of the product
container 110.
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100261 As illustrated in Figs. 2-5 and 7-10, in one or more examples, the
product container
110 includes a container body 114. The container body 114 defines an internal
volume 112. The
product container 110 also includes a first dunnage panel 210. The first
dunnage panel 210 is
located in the internal volume 112 of the container body 114. The product
container 110 further
includes a second dunnage panel 212. The second dunnage panel 212 is located
in the internal
volume 112 of the container body 114. The first dunnage panel 210 and the
second dunnage
panel 212 are substantially aligned with each other and are laterally spaced
apart from each other
to secure an article 102 therebetween (e.g., as shown in Figs. 3, 7 and 8).
For example, the article
102 is sandwiched between the first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage
panel 212.
100271 In one or more examples, first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage
panel 212
extend in generally (e.g., at least approximately) the same direction and run
generally (e.g., at
least approximately) alongside each other. In one or more examples, first
dunnage panel 210 and
the second dunnage panel 212 are arranged next to each other. In one or more
examples, first
dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212 are generally parallel to
and face each
other.
100281 Referring to Figs. 5, 7 and 9, in one or more examples, the first
dunnage panel 210
includes a plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218. In one or more
examples, the second
dunnage panel 212 includes a plurality of second discontinuous lines of
weakness 220. In one or
more examples, the first dunnage panel 210 includes the plurality of
discontinuous lines of
weakness 218 and the second dunnage panel 212 includes the plurality of second
discontinuous
lines of weakness 220. In other words, both dunnage panels include a plurality
of discontinuous
lines of weakness. Alternatively, in other examples, the first dunnage panel
210 may lack (e.g.,
omit or not include) the plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218 or
the second dunnage
panel 212 may lack (e.g., omit or not include) the plurality of second
discontinuous lines of
weakness 220. In other words, at least one of the dunnage panels includes the
plurality of
discontinuous lines of weakness.
100291 Referring now to Figs. 3 and 8, in one or more examples, the plurality
of discontinuous
lines of weakness 218 is configured to locally deform a portion of the first
dunnage panel 210 to
a contour of a portion of the article 102. Generally, the contour of the
article 102 refers to a
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shape or profile of an exterior of the article 102. As such, the plurality of
discontinuous lines of
weakness 218 enables the first dunnage panel 210 to temporarily or resiliently
bend or otherwise
conform to the article 102 without creasing (e.g., propagating an elongated
crease), damaging, or
otherwise materially (e.g., permanently) altering the first dunnage panel 210.
Additionally, the
plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218 provides increased
flexibility to the first
dunnage panel 210 and controlled deformation of the first dunnage panel 210.
As such, the first
dunnage panel 210 is capable of flexing from a substantially planar
configuration (e.g., as shown
in Figs. 2, 4 and 7) to a curved configuration (e.g., as shown in Figs. 3 and
8) when loading (e.g.,
inserting) the article 102 between the first dunnage panel 210 and the second
dunnage panel 212.
100301 Similarly, in one or more examples, the plurality of second
discontinuous lines of
weakness 220 is configured to locally deform a portion of the second dunnage
panel 212 to a
contour of a second portion of the article 102. As such, the plurality of
second discontinuous
lines of weakness 220 enables the second dunnage panel 212 to temporarily or
resiliently bend or
otherwise conform to the article 102 without creasing (e.g., propagating an
elongated crease),
damaging, or otherwise materially (e.g., permanently) altering the second
dunnage panel 212.
Additionally, the plurality of second discontinuous lines of weakness 220
provides increased
flexibility to the second dunnage panel 212 and controlled deformation of the
second dunnage
panel 212. As such, the second dunnage panel 212 is capable of flexing from a
substantially
planar configuration (e.g., as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 7) to a curved
configuration (e.g., as shown
in Figs. 3 and 8) when loading (e.g., inserting) the article 102 between the
first dunnage panel
210 and the second dunnage panel 212.
100311 Referring still to Figs. 3 and 8, in one or more examples, the product
container 110
includes a gap 124 formed between the first dunnage panel 210 and the second
dunnage panel
212. The gap 124 has a width dimension 126. The width dimension 126 of the gap
124 refers to a
substantially linear dimension measured between opposing surfaces (e.g.,
faces) of the first
dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212. The article 102 has a
thickness dimension
104. The thickness dimension 104 of the article 102 refers to one dimension
(e.g., the thickness
or height) of the article 102. The width dimension 126 of the gap 124 is less
than or equal to the
thickness dimension 104 of the article 102. As such, the article 102 is held
tightly between (e.g.,
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clamped or compressed between) the first dunnage panel 210 and the second
dunnage panel 212
such that the article 102 is prevented from moving relative to the product
container 110.
100321 In one or more examples, the width dimension 126 of the gap 124 between
the first
dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212 varies (e.g., the width
dimension 126 is
not constant). For example, prior to loading or otherwise positioning the
article 102 between the
first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212, the width dimension
126 of the gap
124 is less than the thickness dimension 104 of the article 102. With the
article 102 loaded or
otherwise positioned between the first dunnage panel 210 and the second
dunnage panel 212, the
width dimension 126 of a portion of the gap 124, for example, proximate (e.g.,
at or near) the
article 102, is substantially equal to the thickness dimension 104 of the
article 102 and the width
dimension 126 of another portion of the gap 124, for example, spaced away from
the article 102,
is less than the thickness dimension 104 of the article 102.
100331 In one or more examples, the plurality of discontinuous lines of
weakness 218 enables
the first dunnage panel 210 to flex from the substantially planar
configuration (e.g., as shown in
Figs. 3, 5 and 9) to the curved configuration (e.g., as shown in Figs. 4 and
10) to increase the
width dimension 126 of a portion of the gap 124. In one or more examples, the
plurality of
second discontinuous lines of weakness 220 (e.g., when present) enables the
second dunnage
panel 212 to flex from the substantially planar configuration (e.g., as shown
in Figs. 3, 5 and 9)
to the curved configuration (e.g., as shown in Figs. 4 and 10) to increase the
width dimension
126 of a portion of the gap 124.
100341 Referring now to Figs. 2-5 and 7-10, in one or more examples, the first
dunnage panel
210 is coupled to the container body 114. In one or more examples, the second
dunnage panel
212 is coupled to the container body 114. In one or more examples, the first
dunnage panel 210
is integral to the container body 114. In one or more examples, the second
dunnage panel 212 is
integral to the container body 114.
100351 In one or more examples, the container body 114 includes a plurality of
sidewalls 118.
For example, the container body 114 includes four sidewalls 118, identified
individually as a first
sidewall 128, a second sidewall 130, a third sidewall 132, and a fourth
sidewall 134. The first
sidewall 128 and the second sidewall 130 are opposite and generally parallel
to each other. The
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third sidewall 132 and the fourth sidewall 134 are generally perpendicular to
and extend between
the first sidewall 128 and the second sidewall 130. The third sidewall 132 and
the fourth sidewall
134 are opposite and generally parallel to each other.
100361 Referring to Figs. 2-5, in one or more examples, the container body 114
also includes a
first end wall 136 and a second end wall 138. The first end wall 136 and the
second end wall 138
are shown positioned in an open condition or open state in Figs. 2-5.
100371 In one or more examples, in a closed condition or closed state, the
first end wall 136 is
generally perpendicular to and extends between the plurality of sidewalls 118
(e.g., the first
sidewall 128, the second sidewall 130, the third sidewall 132, and the fourth
sidewall 134). In
one or more examples, the first end wall 136 is coupled to one of the
plurality of sidewalls 118
(e.g., the third sidewall 132). In one or more examples, the first end wall
136 is integral to (e.g.,
extends from) one of the plurality of sidewalls 118 (e.g., the third sidewall
132). The first end
wall 136 is hingedly movable (e.g., foldable) relative to the one of the
plurality of sidewalls 118
(e.g., the third sidewall 132) to which it is coupled to enclose a first end
of the container body
114 (e.g., to open and close the product container 110).
100381 In one or more examples, in the closed condition or closed state, the
second end wall
138 is generally perpendicular to and extends between the plurality of
sidewalls 118 (e.g., the
first sidewall 128, the second sidewall 130, the third sidewall 132, and the
fourth sidewall 134).
The first end wall 136 and the second end wall 138 are opposite and generally
parallel to each
other. In one or more examples, the second end wall 138 is coupled to one of
the plurality of
sidewalls 118 (e.g., the fourth sidewall 134). In one or more examples, the
second end wall 138
is integral to (e.g., extends from) one of the plurality of sidewalls 118
(e.g., the fourth sidewall
134). The second end wall 138 is hingedly movable (e.g., foldable) relative to
the one of the
plurality of sidewalls 118 (e.g., the fourth sidewall 134) to which it is
coupled to enclose a
second end of the container body 114 (e.g., to open and close the product
container 110).
100391 Referring to Figs. 7-10, in one or more examples, the container body
114 includes a
bottom wall 140. In one or more examples, the bottom wall 140 is generally
perpendicular to and
extends between the plurality of sidewalls 118 (e.g., the first sidewall 128,
the second sidewall
130, the third sidewall 132, and the fourth sidewall 134). In one or more
examples, the bottom
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wall 140 is coupled to each of the plurality of sidewalls 118 (e.g., the first
sidewall 128, the
second sidewall 130, the third sidewall 132, and the fourth sidewall 134).
100401 In one or more examples, the container body 114 also includes a lid 116
The lid 116 is
shown in an open condition or open state in Figs. 7-9. The lid 116 is shown in
a closed condition
or closed state in Fig. 10.
100411 In one or more examples, the lid 116 is coupled to one of the plurality
of sidewalls 118
(e.g., the second sidewall 130). In one or more examples, the lid 116 is
integral to (e.g., extends
from) one of the plurality of sidewalls 118 (e.g., the second sidewall 130).
The lid 116 is
hingedly movable (e.g., foldable) relative to the one of the plurality of
sidewalls 118 (e.g., the
second sidewall 130) to which it is coupled to enclose the container body 114
(e.g., to open and
close the product container 110). In the closed condition or closed state, the
lid 116 forms a top
wall 142 of the container body 114 (e.g., as shown in Fig. 10). The top wall
142 is generally
perpendicular to and extends between the plurality of sidewalls 118 (e.g., the
first sidewall 128,
the second sidewall 130, the third sidewall 132, and the fourth sidewall 134).
The bottom wall
140 and the top wall 142 are opposite and generally parallel to each other.
100421 Referring again to Figs. 2-5 and 7-10, in one or more examples, the
first dunnage
panel 210 is generally perpendicular to and extends between an opposed pair of
the plurality of
sidewalls 118 (e.g., the first sidewall 128 and the second sidewall 130). The
second dunnage
panel 212 is generally perpendicular to and extends between the opposed pair
of the plurality of
sidewalls 118 (e.g., the first sidewall 128 and the second sidewall 130).
However, in other
examples, the first dunnage panel 210 and/or the second dunnage panel 212 may
be oriented at
an oblique angle relative to the opposed pair of the plurality of sidewalls
118 (e.g., the first
sidewall 128 and the second sidewall 130).
100431 In one or more examples, the first dunnage panel 210 and the second
dunnage panel 212
are adjacent (e.g., directly adjacent or arranged next) to each other and are
in a face-to-face
orientation. In one or more examples, the first dunnage panel 210 and the
second dunnage panel
212 are proximate each other. For example, without the article 102 being
located between the
first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212, the width dimension
126 of the gap
124 between the first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212 is
minimal (e.g.,
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substantially less than the thickness dimension 104 of the article 102 to be
secured between the
first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212.
100441 Referring to Figs. 2-5, in one or more examples, the first dunnage
panel 210 is coupled
to one of the opposed pair of the plurality of sidewalls 118 (e.g., the first
sidewall 128). In one or
more examples, the first dunnage panel 210 is integral to (e.g., extends from)
one of the opposed
pair of the plurality of sidewalls 118 (e.g., the first sidewall 128). In one
or more examples, the
first dunnage panel 210 is coupled to the other one of the opposed pair of the
plurality of
sidewalls 118 (e.g., the second sidewall 130).
100451 In one or more examples, the second dunnage panel 212 is coupled to one
of the
opposed pair of the plurality of sidewalls 118 (e.g., the first sidewall 128).
In one or more
examples, the second dunnage panel 212 is integral to (e.g., extends from) one
of the opposed
pair of the plurality of sidewalls 118 (e.g., the first sidewall 128). In one
or more examples, the
second dunnage panel 212 is coupled to the other one of the opposed pair of
the plurality of
sidewalls 118 (e.g., the second sidewall 130).
100461 In one or more examples, the first dunnage panel 210 and the second
dunnage panel 212
are generally perpendicular to and extend between the first end wall 136 and
the second end wall
138. In one or more examples, the first dunnage panel 210 is generally
parallel to and is laterally
spaced apart from the third sidewall 132. In one or more examples, the second
dunnage panel
212 is generally parallel to and is laterally spaced apart from the fourth
sidewall 134. However,
in other examples, the first dunnage panel 210 may be oriented at an oblique
angle relative to the
third sidewall 132 and the second dunnage panel 212 may be oriented at an
oblique angle relative
to the fourth sidewall 134.
100471 In one or more examples, the product container 110 includes a first
brace panel 122. In
one or more examples, the first brace panel 122 is coupled to the first
dunnage panel 210. In one
or more examples, the first brace panel 122 is integral to (e.g., extends
from) the first dunnage
panel 210. The first brace panel 122 inhibits movement of the first dunnage
panel 210 relative to
the container body 114, for example, relative to the opposed pair of the
plurality of sidewalls 118
(e.g., the first sidewall 128 and the second sidewall 130) to which it is
coupled. In other words,
the first brace panel 122 impedes linear and/or rotational movement of the
first dunnage panel
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210 within the internal volume 112 of the container body 114 while permitting
the first dunnage
panel 210 to change its profile shape (e.g., develop a curvature) and conform
to a portion of the
article 102 secured between the first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage
panel 212.
100481 In one or more examples, the first brace panel 122 is substantially
aligned with and is
laterally spaced apart from the first dunnage panel 210. In one or more
examples, the first brace
panel 122 is located between, is generally parallel to, and is laterally
spaced apart from the first
dunnage panel 210 and the third sidewall 132. In one or more examples, the
first brace panel 122
is generally perpendicular to and extends between the first sidewall 128 and
the second sidewall
130. However, in other examples, the first brace panel 122 may be oriented at
an oblique angle
relative to the first sidewall 128 and the second sidewall 130. In one or more
examples, the first
brace panel 122 is coupled to the first sidewall 128 and the second sidewall
130. In one or more
examples, the first brace panel 122 is generally perpendicular to and extends
between the first
end wall 136 and the second end wall 138. However, in other examples, the
first brace panel 122
may be oriented at an oblique angle relative to the first end wall 136 and the
second end wall
138. The first brace panel 122 also increases the strength and/or the
structural rigidity of the
product container 110.
100491 In one or more examples, the product container 110 includes a second
brace panel 144.
In one or more examples, the second brace panel 144 is coupled to the second
dunnage panel
212. The second brace panel 144 inhibits movement of the second dunnage panel
212 relative to
the container body 114, for example, relative to the opposed pair of the
plurality of sidewalls 118
(e.g., the first sidewall 128 and the second sidewall 130) to which it is
coupled. In other words,
the second brace panel 144 impedes linear and/or rotational movement of the
second dunnage
panel 212 within the internal volume 112 of the container body 114 while
permitting the second
dunnage panel 212 to change its profile shape (e.g., develop a curvature) and
conform to a
portion of the article 102 secured between the first dunnage panel 210 and the
second dunnage
panel 212.
100501 In one or more examples, the second brace panel 144 is substantially
aligned with and is
laterally spaced apart from the second dunnage panel 212. In one or more
examples, the second
brace panel 144 is located between, is generally parallel to, and is laterally
spaced apart from the
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second dunnage panel 212 and the fourth sidewall 134. In one or more examples,
the second
brace panel 144 is generally perpendicular to and extends between the first
sidewall 128 and the
second sidewall 130. However, in other examples, the second brace panel 144
may be oriented at
an oblique angle relative to the first sidewall 128 and the second sidewall
130. In one or more
examples, the second brace panel 144 is coupled to the first sidewall 128 and
the second sidewall
130. In one or more examples, the second brace panel 144 is generally
perpendicular to and
extends between the first end wall 136 and the second end wall 138. However,
in other
examples, the second brace panel 144 may be oriented at an oblique angle
relative to the first end
wall 136 and the second end wall 138. The second brace panel 144 also
increases the strength
and/or the structural rigidity of the product container 110.
100511 Referring to Figs. 7-10, in one or more examples, the first dunnage
panel 210 is
coupled to one of the opposed pair of the plurality of sidewalls 118 (e.g.,
the first sidewall 128).
In one or more examples, the first dunnage panel 210 is integral to (e.g.,
extends from) one of the
opposed pair of the plurality of sidewalls 118 (e.g., the first sidewall 128).
100521 In one or more examples, the second dunnage panel 212 is coupled to
first dunnage
panel 210. In one or more examples, the second dunnage panel 212 is integral
to (e.g., extends
from) the first dunnage panel 210.
100531 In one or more examples, the first dunnage panel 210 and the second
dunnage panel 212
are generally perpendicular to and extend between the third sidewall 132 and
the fourth sidewall
134. However, in other examples, the first dunnage panel 210 and the second
dunnage panel 212
may be oriented at an oblique angle relative to the third sidewall 132 and the
fourth sidewall 134.
100541 In one or more examples, the first dunnage panel 210 is generally
parallel to and is
spaced away from the bottom wall 140. However, in other examples, the first
dunnage panel 210
may be oriented at an oblique angle relative to the bottom wall 140.
100551 In one or more examples, the second dunnage panel 212 is generally
parallel to and is
spaced away from the top wall 142 (e.g., the lid 116 in the closed condition
or state). However,
in other examples, the second dunnage panel 212 may be oriented at an oblique
angle relative to
the top wall 142.
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100561 In one or more examples, the product container 110 includes the first
brace panel 122
and the second brace panel 144, which are coupled to the first dunnage panel
210. In one or more
example, the first brace panel 122 and the second brace panel 144 are opposite
each other. In one
or more examples, the first brace panel 122 and the second brace panel 144 are
integral to (e.g.,
extend from) the first dunnage panel 210. In one or more examples, the first
brace panel 122
extends between the first dunnage panel 210 and the bottom wall 140 proximate
to or adjacent to
(e.g., at or near) the third sidewall 132. In one or more examples, the second
brace panel 144
extends between the first dunnage panel 210 and the bottom wall 140 proximate
to or adjacent to
the fourth sidewall 134. The first brace panel 122 and the second brace panel
144 inhibit, or at
least resist, movement of the first dunnage panel 210 relative to the
container body 114, for
example, relative to the bottom wall 140. In other words, the first brace
panel 122 and the second
brace panel 144 impede linear and/or rotational movement of the first dunnage
panel 210 within
the internal volume 112 of the container body 114 while permitting the first
dunnage panel 210
to change its profile shape (e.g., develop a curvature) and conform to a
portion of the article 102
secured between the first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212.
100571 In one or more examples, each one of the first brace panel 122 and the
second brace
panel 144 serves as a strut or a spring that biases the first dunnage panel
210 away from the
bottom wall 140. For example, the each one of the first brace panel 122 and
the second brace
panel 144 has an accordion shape, for example, including a plurality of rigid
panel-portions 150
interspersed with and connected by flexural hinges 152.
100581 In one or more examples, with the lid 116 in the closed state and
forming the top wall
142 of the container body 114, the top wall 142 (e.g., the lid 116) urges the
second dunnage
panel 212 toward the first dunnage panel 210 and maintains the second dunnage
panel 212 in
position relative to the first dunnage panel 210.
100591 In one or more examples, the product container 110 includes a third
brace panel 146
and a fourth brace panel 148, which are coupled to the second dunnage panel
212. In one or more
example, the third brace panel 146 and the fourth brace panel 148 are opposite
each other. In one
or more examples, the third brace panel 146 and the fourth brace panel 148 are
integral to (e.g.,
extend from) the second dunnage panel 212. In one or more examples, the third
brace panel 146
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extends between the second dunnage panel 212 and the top wall 142 (e.g., the
lid 116 in the
closed state) proximate to or adjacent to the third sidewall 132. In one or
more examples, the
fourth brace panel 148 extends between the second dunnage panel 212 and the
top wall 142 (e.g.,
the lid 116 in the closed state) proximate to or adjacent to the fourth
sidewall 134. The third
brace panel 146 and the fourth brace panel 148 inhibit, or at least resist,
movement of the second
dunnage panel 212 relative to the container body 114, for example, relative to
the top wall 142.
In other words, the third brace panel 146 and the fourth brace panel 148
impede linear and/or
rotational movement of the second dunnage panel 212 within the internal volume
112 of the
container body 114 while permitting the second dunnage panel 212 to change its
profile shape
(e.g., develop a curvature) and conform to a portion of the article 102
secured between the first
dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212.
100601 Referring now to Fig. 11, which illustrates an example of the first
dunnage panel 210
including the plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218. As
illustrated, in one or more
examples, the second dunnage panel 212 is substantially the same as the first
dunnage panel 210
and the plurality of second discontinuous lines of weakness 220 is
substantially the same as the
plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218 (e.g., shown in Fig. 11). In
other words, Fig. 11
is also representative of one or more examples of the second dunnage panel 212
in which the
second dunnage panel 212 includes the plurality of second discontinuous lines
of weakness 220.
100611 The first dunnage panel 210 or the second dunnage panel 212 includes an
article-
support surface 228. The article-support surface 228 is configured to support
(e.g., contact) the
article 102 when the article 102 is secured between the first dunnage panel
210 or the second
dunnage panel 212.
100621 In one or more examples, the plurality of discontinuous lines of
weakness 218 are
disposed or located on a portion of the article-support surface 228 of the
first dunnage panel 210.
For example, the plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218 are disposed
or located about a
central portion or region of the article-support surface 228 of the first
dunnage panel 210. As
such, the first dunnage panel 210 includes a margin 222 that surrounds the
article-support surface
228 and that extends along a perimeter of the first dunnage panel 210. The
margin 222 lacks any
of the plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218. The margin 222
provides increased
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strength and rigidity to the first dunnage panel 210, particularly, along
edges of the first dunnage
panel 210. The geometry and/or area defined by the margin 222 and the
plurality of
discontinuous lines of weakness 218 may depend on the size of the product
container 110, the
size, shape, and/or weight of the article 102 to be secured between the first
dunnage panel 210
and the second dunnage panel 212, and other factors. Further, the
configuration of the margin
222 and the plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218 facilitate
controlled deformation of
the first dunnage panel 210 to a generally central region of the first dunnage
panel 210.
[0063] Similarly, in one or more examples, the plurality of second
discontinuous lines of
weakness 220 are disposed or located on a portion of the article-support
surface 228 of the
second dunnage panel 212. For example, the plurality of second discontinuous
lines of weakness
220 are disposed or located about a central portion or region of the article-
support surface 228 of
the second dunnage panel 212. As such, the second dunnage panel 212 includes
the margin 222
that surrounds the article-support surface 228 and that extends along a
perimeter of the second
dunnage panel 212. The margin 222 lacks any of the plurality of second
discontinuous lines of
weakness 220. The margin 222 provides increased strength and rigidity to the
second dunnage
panel 212, particularly, along edges of the second dunnage panel 212. The
geometry and/or area
defined by the margin 222 and the plurality of second discontinuous lines of
weakness 220 may
depend on the size of the product container 110, the size, shape, and/or
weight of the article 102
to be secured between the first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel
212, and other
factors. Further, the configuration of the margin 222 and the plurality of
discontinuous lines of
weakness 218 facilitate controlled deformation of the second dunnage panel 212
to a generally
central region of the second dunnage panel 212.
[0064] In one or more examples, the plurality of discontinuous lines of
weakness 218 define a
dunnage portion 226 of the first dunnage panel 210. The first dunnage panel
210 has a panel
width W1. The dunnage portion 226 of the first dunnage panel 210, defined by
the plurality of
discontinuous lines of weakness 218, has a dunnage width W2. The margin 222
(e.g., a perimeter
portion of the article-support surface 228) has a margin width W3. In one or
more examples, In
one or more examples, the panel width W1 is greater than the dunnage width W2
and the margin
width W3. In one or more examples, the first dunnage panel 210 is generally
rectangular and
includes the margin 222 along all four sides with the dunnage portion 226
being enclosed by and
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confined within the margin 222. The margin 222 is continuous and thus free of
any cuts, slits, or
other lines of weakness.
100651 In one or more examples, the plurality of second discontinuous lines of
weakness 220
define the dunnage portion 226 of the second dunnage panel 212. The second
dunnage panel 212
has a panel width Wl. The dunnage portion 226 of the second dunnage panel 212,
defined by the
plurality of second discontinuous lines of weakness 220, has the dunnage width
W2. The margin
222 (e.g., a perimeter portion of the article-support surface 228) has the
margin width W3. In one
or more examples, the panel width W1 is greater than the dunnage width W2 and
the margin
width W3. In one or more examples, the second dunnage panel 212 is generally
rectangular and
includes the margin 222 along all four sides with the dunnage portion 226
being enclosed by and
confined within the margin 222. The margin 222 is continuous and thus free of
any cuts, slits, or
other lines of weakness.
100661 In one or more examples, the panel width Wl, the dunnage width W, and
the margin
width W3 of the first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212 are
the same. In one
or more examples, one or more of the panel width Wl, the dunnage width W, and
the margin
width W3 of the first dunnage panel 210 is different than one or more of the
panel width Wl, the
dunnage width W, and the margin width W3 of the second dunnage panel 212.
100671 The plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218 are configured to
partially fold,
displace (e.g., to an out of plane orientation relative to a remaining portion
of the first dunnage
panel 210), buckle, bend, or otherwise change shape such that a shape of a
portion of the first
dunnage panel 210 changes to match the shape of or cradle around the article
102 supported by
the article-support surface 228 of the first dunnage panel 210 and secured
between the first
dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212.
100681 Similarly, the plurality of second discontinuous lines of weakness 220
are configured to
partially fold, displace (e.g., to an out of plane orientation relative to a
remaining portion of the
second dunnage panel 212), buckle, bend, or otherwise change shape such that a
shape of a
portion of the second dunnage panel 212 changes to match the shape of or
cradle around the
article 102 supported by the article-support surface 228 of the second dunnage
panel 212 and
secured between the first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212.
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100691 In one or more examples, the plurality of discontinuous lines of
weakness 218 and/or
the plurality of second discontinuous lines of weakness 220 include, or are
formed by, cuts (e.g.,
as shown in Fig. 11). In one or more examples, the plurality of discontinuous
lines of weakness
218 and/or the plurality of second discontinuous lines of weakness 220
include, or are formed
by, perforations. In one or more examples, the plurality of discontinuous
lines of weakness 218
and/or the plurality of second discontinuous lines of weakness 220 include, or
are formed by,
cuts and perforations. For example, a first portion (e.g., an interior
portion) of the plurality of
discontinuous lines of weakness 218 and/or the plurality of second
discontinuous lines of
weakness 220 may include, or be formed by, cuts and a second portion (e.g., a
peripheral
portion) of the plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218 and/or the
plurality of second
discontinuous lines of weakness 220 may include, or be formed by,
perforations.
100701 Generally, the cuts refer to slit or linear incision formed (e.g.,
pierced) through the
material forming the dunnage panel (e.g., the first dunnage panel 210 or the
second dunnage
panel 212). Generally, the perforations refer to row or linear segment of
small holes formed (e.g.,
punched) through the material forming the dunnage panel (e.g., the first
dunnage panel 210 or
the second dunnage panel 212).
100711 In one or more examples, the plurality of discontinuous lines of
weakness 218 and/or
the plurality of second discontinuous lines of weakness 220 define or form a
pattern 214. In one
or more examples, the pattern 214 is uniform and is repeated along the article-
support surface
228 (e.g., is a repeating pattern on the article-support surface 228). In
other examples, the
plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218 and/or the plurality of
second discontinuous
lines of weakness 220 may be non-uniform and non-repeated along the article-
support surface
228. In one or more examples, the pattern 214 is symmetric. In one or more
examples, the
pattern 214 is asymmetric.
100721 In one or more examples, the pattern 214 includes columns and/or rows
of lines (e.g.,
line segments) of weakness 224. In one or more examples, each one of the lines
of weakness 224
is formed by a cut segment or a perforation segment. In one or more examples,
one or more of
the lines of weakness 224 is linear (e.g., straight). In one or more examples,
one or more of the
lines of weakness 224 is curved.
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100731 The pattern 214 of the lines of weakness 224 may have any one of
various two-
dimensional geometries. In one or more examples, the pattern 214 (e.g.,
located on an interior
region of the article-support surface 228) includes a plurality of lines
weakness 224 (e.g., three
lines of weakness 224 as shown in Fig. 11) radiating outward from a central
point. In one or
more examples, each one of the plurality of lines of weakness 224 of the
pattern 214 is equally
angularly oriented (e.g., clocked) relative to a directly adjacent one of the
plurality of lines of
weakness 224 of the pattern 214. In one or more examples, the pattern 214
(e.g., located about a
peripheral region of the article-support surface 228) includes a plurality of
lines of weakness 224
(e.g., two lines of weakness 224 as shown in Fig. 11) oriented at an oblique
angle relative to each
other.
100741 In one or more examples, the pattern 214 of the plurality of
discontinuous lines of
weakness 218 and the pattern 214 of the plurality of second discontinuous
lines of weakness 220
are the same. In one or more examples, the pattern 214 of the plurality of
discontinuous lines of
weakness 218 and the pattern 214 of the plurality of second discontinuous
lines of weakness 220
are different.
100751 The example configurations of the pattern 214 and/or of any one of the
lines of
weakness 224 of the plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218 and/or
the plurality of
second lines of weakness 220 described and illustrated herein are provided as
examples and other
configurations of the pattern 214 and/or of any one of the lines of weakness
224 may be
implemented without departing from the intended structure of the first dunnage
panel 210 and/or
the second dunnage panel 212 and without departing from the principles of the
present disclosure
and purpose of the product container O. As other examples, the pattern 214 of
the lines of
weakness 224 (e.g., of the plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218
and/or the plurality of
second lines of weakness 220) may define or form a honeycomb pattern, a
polygonal pattern, a
star-shaped pattern, or other tessellated pattern configured to enable the
first dunnage panel 210
and/or the second dunnage panel 212 to locally conform to the shape of the
article 102 secured
between the first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212.
100761 Examples of the product container 110 are used to form the packaging
system 100. In
other words, the packaging system 100 includes the product container 110 and
the article 102
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secured between the first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212
(e.g., as shown
in Figs. 4, 9 and 10). The product container 110 includes the container body
114 that defines the
internal volume 112 of the product container 110. The packaging system 100
also includes the
first dunnage panel 210 located in the internal volume 112 of the product
container 110. The first
dunnage panel 210 includes the plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness
218. The packaging
system 100 further includes the second dunnage panel 212 located in the
internal volume 112 of
the product container 110. The first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage
panel 212 are
substantially aligned with each other and are laterally spaced apart from each
other. The article
102 is located in the internal volume 112 of the product container 110 and
secured between the
first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212.
100771 Referring now to Figs. 1 and 6, examples of the product container 110
are formed from
the blank 300. In other words, in one or more examples, the container body
114, the first
dunnage panel 210, and the second dunnage panel 212 are formed from the blank
300. In one or
more examples, the blank 300 is a one-piece blank (e.g., a blank of sheet
material). In one or
more examples, the blank 300 includes a series of panels 302 connected along a
plurality of fold
lines 304. Generally, each one of the series of panels 302 defines or forms a
structural portion of
the product container 110. In one or more examples, a first one of the series
of panels 302
includes the plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218. The series of
panels 302 is
foldable about the plurality of fold lines 304 to form the container body 114
from a plurality of
the series of panels 302, the first dunnage panel 210 from the first one of
the series of panels 302,
and the second dunnage panel 212 from a second one of the series of panels
302. In one or more
examples, the second one of the series of panels 302 includes the plurality of
second
discontinuous lines of weakness 220.
100781 Generally, the blank 300 has an exterior surface and an interior
surface, which is
opposite the exterior surface. The exterior surface of the blank 300 generally
defines at least a
portion of an exterior surface of the product container 110. The interior
surface of the blank 300
generally defines at least a portion of an interior surface of the product
container 110. In one or
more examples, portions of the exterior surface and/or the interior surface of
the blank 300 may
include printed graphics, such as advertising and/or promotional materials.
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[0079] Generally, the blank 300 is a single, unitary sheet of suitable
substrate. The blank 300
provides the packaging structure of the product container 110. The blank 300
includes the
plurality of panels 302. The panels 302 are aligned and are connected
together, for example, in
series, by the plurality of preformed fold lines 304. Generally, the panels
302 included in the
blank 300 correspond to and are used to form the sidewalls, end walls, bottom
wall, and top wall
(e.g., lid), dunnage panels, brace panels, and other structural components
(e.g., flaps, tabs, etc.)
of the product container 110. The panels 302 of the blank 300 are folded along
the fold lines 304
to form, assemble, or construct the product container 110. The panels 302 may
be secured or
otherwise held together in an assembled condition by any suitable means of
panel joining, such
as, but not limited to, adhesives, tape, staples, or by mechanically joining
fastening features (e.g.,
tabs and slots) formed by the blank 300.
[0080] In one or more examples, the container body 114 includes, or is made
of, a cellulosic
material. In one or more examples, the first dunnage panel 210 includes, or is
made of, a
cellulosic material. In one or more examples, the second dunnage panel 212
includes, or is made
of, a cellulosic material.
[0081] In one or more examples, each one of the container body 114, the first
dunnage panel
210, and the second dunnage panel 212 is made of a recyclable material. In one
or more
examples, an entirety of the product container 110 is made of a recyclable
material.
[0082] Referring to Figs. 1 and 6, in one or more examples, the blank 300
includes a
longitudinal axis 306, a first edge 308, and a second edge 310 that is
opposite the first edge 308
along the longitudinal axis 306. The panels 302 are generally connected to and
extend from each
other, in series, along the longitudinal axis 306 from the first edge 308 to
the second edge 310 of
the blank 300.
[0083] Referring now to Fig. 1, which illustrates a first example
configuration or layout of the
blank 300 for forming the first example of the product container 110, as shown
in Figs. 2-5.
[0084] In one or more examples, panel 312 extends from the first edge 308 to
fold line 314,
which is generally parallel to the first edge 308. Panel 312 forms the first
brace panel 122 of the
product container 110.
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100851 In one or more examples, panel 316 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 312 along fold line 314. Panel 316 forms a first connector
panel 154 (e.g., as
shown in Fig. 3) of the product container 110 that extends between and
interconnects the first
dunnage panel 210 and the first brace panel 122.
100861 In one or more examples, panel 320 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 316 along fold line 318, which is generally parallel to
fold line 314. Panel
320 forms the first dunnage panel 210. In one or more examples, panel 320
includes the plurality
of discontinuous lines of weakness 218. However, in other examples, panel 320
may omit the
plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218 and forms a solid dunnage
panel.
100871 In one or more examples, panel 322 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 320 along fold line 324, which is generally parallel to
fold line 318. Panel
322 forms a portion (e.g., a first sidewall-portion 128a) of the first
sidewall 128 of the container
body 114 (e.g., as shown in Fig. 4).
100881 In one or more examples, panel 326 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 322 along fold line 328, which is generally parallel to
fold line 324. Panel
326 forms the third sidewall 132 of the container body 114.
100891 In one or more examples, panel 330 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 326 along fold line 332, which is generally parallel to
fold line 328. Panel
330 forms the second sidewall 130 of the container body 114.
100901 In one or more examples, panel 334 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 330 along fold line 336, which is generally parallel to
fold line 332. Panel
334 forms the fourth sidewall 134 of the container body 114.
100911 In one or more examples, panel 338 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 334 along fold line 340, which is generally parallel to
fold line 336. Panel
338 forms another portion (e.g., a second sidewall-portion 128b) of the first
sidewall 128 of the
container body 114 (e.g., as shown in Fig. 4).
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[0092] In one or more examples, panel 342 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 338 along fold line 344, which is generally parallel to
fold line 340. Panel
342 forms the second dunnage panel 212. In one or more examples, panel 342
includes the
plurality of second discontinuous lines of weakness 220. However, in other
examples, panel 342
may omit the plurality of second discontinuous lines of weakness 220 and forms
a solid dunnage
panel.
[0093] In one or more examples, panel 338 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 334 along fold line 340, which is generally parallel to
fold line 336. Panel
338 forms another portion (e.g., a second sidewall-portion 128b) of the first
sidewall 128 of the
container body 114 (e.g., as shown in Fig. 4).
[0094] In one or more examples, panel 346 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 342 along fold line 348, which is generally parallel to
fold line 344. Panel
346 forms a second connector panel 156 (e.g., as shown in Fig. 3) of the
product container 110
that extends between and interconnects the second dunnage panel 212 and the
second brace panel
144.
[0095] In one or more examples, panel 350 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 346 along fold line 352, which is generally parallel to
fold line 348. Panel
350 forms the second brace panel 144 of the product container 110.
100961 In one or more examples, panel 354 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 326 along fold line 356, which is generally parallel to and
extends between
fold line 328 and fold line 332. Panel 354 forms the first end wall 136 of the
product container
110.
[0097] In one or more examples, panel 358 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 334 along fold line 360, which is generally parallel to and
extends between
fold line 336 and fold line 340. Panel 358 forms the second end wall 138 of
the product container
110.
[0098] In one or more examples, the blank 300 also includes one or more
closure flaps 362.
Each one of the closure flaps 362 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly) connected to a
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corresponding one of the panels 302 (e.g., panels 322, 330, 338, 354, 358)
along a corresponding
one of the fold lines 304. In one or more examples, one or more of the closure
flaps 362 is a lip
flap or end flap that is configured to be folded into a face-to-face and
generally parallel position
with and optionally, mechanically joined to, a corresponding one of the panels
302 to provide
strength and/or rigidity to the product container 110 and/or to secure the
product container 110 in
the assembled state. In one or more examples, one or more of the closure flaps
362 is a glue flap
that is configured to be folded into a face-to-face and generally parallel
position with and
connected (e.g., adhered) to a face of a corresponding one of the panels 302
to secure the product
container 110 in the assembled state.
100991 In one or more examples, the blank 300 include one or more closure tabs
364a and one
or more closure apertures 364b to mechanically joint one of the panels 302 or
one of the closure
flaps 362 to a corresponding one of the panels 302 or one of the closure flaps
362. At least a
portion of the closure tab 364a is configured to be received by and to fit
within the closure
aperture 364b to secure the blank 300 in the assembled state after
construction of the product
container 110. In one or more examples, the closure tab 364a extends from an
edge of at least
one of the panels 302 (e.g., panel 322) or from a corresponding one of the
fold lines 304 (e.g.,
fold line 324) and the closure aperture 364b, corresponding to the closure tab
364a, is formed
through the blank 300 along at least one of the fold lines 304 (e.g., fold
line 344) or along an
edge of a corresponding one of the panels 302 (e.g., panel 338). In one or
more examples, the
closure tab 364a extends from an edge of at least one of the closure flaps 362
(e.g., the closure
flaps 362 connected to panel 354 and panel 358) and the closure aperture 364b,
corresponding to
the closure tab 364a, is formed through a corresponding one of the panels 302
(e.g., panel 326
and panel 334).
1001001 Turning now to construction of the product container 110 from the
blank 300 and
generally referring to Figs. 1-5, each one of the panels 302 and the closure
flaps 362 is folded
about a corresponding fold line 304 relative to another one of the panels 302
or closure flaps 362
to construct the product container 110. Generally, the panels 302 and the
closure flaps 362 are
folded into a generally perpendicular orientation relative to a corresponding
panel 302 to which it
is connected.
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1001011 As best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, in one or more examples, in the
assembled
condition of the product container 110, panel 316 (e.g., forming the first
connector panel 154) is
folded to be generally parallel to and in face-to-face relationship with and
is secured (e.g., glued)
to an interior surface of panel 330 (e.g., forming the second sidewall 130).
In one or more
examples, in the assembled condition of the product container 110, panel 346
(e.g., forming the
second connector panel 156) is folded to be generally parallel to and in face-
to-face relationship
with and is secured (e.g., glued) to the interior surface of panel 330 (e.g.,
forming the second
sidewall 130).
1001021 As best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, in one or more examples, in the
assembled
condition of the product container 110, the closure flap 362 connected to
panel 312 (e.g.,
forming the first brace panel 122) is folded to be generally parallel to and
in face-to-face
relationship with and is secured (e.g., glued) to an interior surface of panel
322 (e.g., forming the
first sidewall-portion 128a of the first sidewall 128). in one or more
examples, in the assembled
condition of the product container 110, the closure flap 362 connected to
panel 350 (e.g.,
forming the second brace panel 144) is folded to be generally parallel to and
in face-to-face
relationship with and is secured (e.g., glued) to an interior surface of panel
338 (e.g., forming the
second sidewall-portion 128b of the first sidewall 128).
1001031 As best illustrated in Fig. 4, in one or more examples, in the
assembled condition of
the product container 110, panel 322 (e.g., forming the first sidewall-portion
128a of the first
sidewall 128) and panel 338 (e.g., forming the second sidewall-portion 128b of
the first sidewall
128) are folded to be coplanar. As such the first sidewall-portion 128a and
the second sidewall-
portion 128b form a composite or discontinuous first sidewall 128 of the
product container 110.
1001041 As best illustrated in Fig. 4, in one or more examples, the closure
tab 364a, extending
from an edge of panel 322, is coupled to the closure aperture 364b, disposed
along an edge of
panel 338, to secure the first sidewall-portion 128a and the second sidewall-
portion 128b
together to form the first sidewall 128 of the product container 110.
1001051 The example configurations of the blank 300 for forming the product
container 110
described and illustrated herein are provided as examples and other
configurations of the blank
300 may be implemented without departing from the intended structure and
purpose of the
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product container 110 and without departing from the principles of the present
disclosure. As
other examples, the blank 300 may include other configurations and/or layouts
of the panels 302
and fold lines 304. Alternatively, the product container 110 may be formed or
constructed using
a plurality of blanks, for example, in which each one of the plurality of
blanks forms one or more
structure components of the product container 110.
1001061 Referring now to Fig. 6, which illustrates a second example
configuration or layout of
the blank 300 for forming the second example of the product container 110, as
shown in Figs.
7-10.
1001071 In one or more examples, panel 366 extends from the first edge 308 to
fold line 368,
which is generally parallel to the first edge 308. Panel 366 forms at least a
portion of the lid 116
and, thus, the top wall 142 of the product container 110.
1001081 In one or more examples, panel 370 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 366 along fold line 368. Panel 370 forms the second
sidewall 130 of the
product container 110.
1001091 In one or more examples, panel 374 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 370 along fold line 372, which is generally parallel to
fold line 368. Panel
374 forms the bottom wall 140 of the product container 110.
1001101 In one or more examples, panel 378 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 374 along fold line 376, which is generally parallel to
fold line 372. Panel
378 forms the first sidewall 128 of the product container 110.
1001111 In one or more examples, panel 380 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 378 along fold line 382, which is generally parallel to
fold line 376. Panel
380 forms the first dunnage panel 210. In one or more examples, panel 380
includes the plurality
of discontinuous lines of weakness 218. However, in other examples, panel 380
may omit the
plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218 and forms a solid dunnage
panel.
1001121 In one or more examples, panel 384 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 380 along fold line 386, which is generally parallel to
fold line 382. Panel
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384 forms the second dunnage panel 212. In one or more examples, panel 384
includes the
plurality of second discontinuous lines of weakness 220. However, in other
examples, panel 384
may omit the plurality of second discontinuous lines of weakness 220 and forms
a solid dunnage
panel.
1001131 In one or more examples, panel 388 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 374 along fold line 390, which is generally perpendicular
to and extends
between fold line 372 and fold line 376. Panel 388 forms the third sidewall
132 of the product
container 110.
1001141 In one or more examples, panel 392 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 374 along fold line 394, which is generally perpendicular
to and extends
between fold line 372 and fold line 376. Panel 392 forms the fourth sidewall
134 of the product
container 110.
[00115] In one or more examples, two or more panels 396 extend from and are
foldably (e.g.,
hingedly) connected to panel 380 along fold line 398, which is generally
perpendicular to and
extends between fold line 382 and fold line 386. Panels 396 are connected
together and extend
from one another in series by fold lines 400, which are generally parallel to
fold line 398. Panels
396 form the first brace panel 122 (e.g., each one of the panels 396 forms one
of the panel-
portions 150 of the first brace panel 122) and each one of the fold lines 400
forms one of the
flexural hinges 152 of the first brace panel 122 (e.g., as shown in Fig. 9).
1001161 In one or more examples, two or more panels 402 extend from and are
foldably (e.g.,
hingedly) connected to panel 380 along fold line 404, which is generally
perpendicular to and
extends between fold line 382 and fold line 386 and which is generally
parallel to and opposite
fold line 398. Panels 402 are connected together and extend from one another
in series by fold
lines 406, which are generally parallel to fold line 404. Panels 402 form the
second brace panel
144 (e.g., each one of the panels 402 forms one of the panel-portions 150 of
the second brace
panel 144) and each one of the fold lines 406 forms one of the flexural hinges
152 of the second
brace panel 144 (e.g., as shown in Fig. 9).
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[00117] In one or more examples, panel 408 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 384 along fold line 410, which is generally perpendicular
to and extends
between fold line 386 and the second edge 310. Panel 408 forms the third brace
panel 146.
[00118] In one or more examples, panel 412 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly)
connected to panel 384 along fold line 414, which is generally perpendicular
to and extends
between fold line 386 and the second edge 310 and which is generally parallel
to and opposite
fold line 410. Panel 412 forms the fourth brace panel 148.
[00119] In one or more examples, the blank 300 also includes one or more
closure flaps 362.
Each one of the closure flaps 362 extends from and is foldably (e.g.,
hingedly) connected to a
corresponding one of the panels 302 (e.g., panels 366,370, 378, 388, 392)
along a corresponding
one of the fold lines 304 or to another one of the closure flaps 362. In one
or more examples, one
or more of the closure flaps 362 is a lip flap or end flap that is configured
to be folded into a
face-to-face and generally parallel position with and optionally, mechanically
joined to, a
corresponding one of the panels 302 to provide strength and/or rigidity to the
product container
110 and/or to secure the product container 110 in the assembled state. In one
or more examples,
one of the closure flaps 362 is configured to be folded into a face-to-face
and generally parallel
position relative to one of the panels 302 (e.g., panels 388, 392) to capture
or sandwich another
one of the closure flaps 362 therebetween.
[00120] In one or more examples, the blank 300 include one or more closure
tabs 364a and one
or more closure apertures 364b to mechanically joint one of the panels 302 or
one of the closure
flaps 362 to a corresponding one of the panels 302 or one of the closure flaps
362. At least a
portion of the closure tab 364a is configured to be received by and to fit
within the closure
aperture 364b to secure the blank 300 in the assembled state after
construction of the product
container 110. In one or more examples, the closure tab 364a extends from an
edge of at least
one of the closure flaps 362 (e.g., the closure flaps 362 connected to panels
388, 392) and the
closure aperture 364b, corresponding to the closure tab 364a, is formed
through the blank 300
along at least one of the fold lines 304 (e.g., fold lines 390, 394).
[00121] Turning now to construction of the product container 110 from the
blank 300 and
generally referring to Figs. 6-10, each one of the panels 302 and the closure
flaps 362 is folded
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about a corresponding fold line 304 relative to another one of the panels 302
or closure flaps 362
to construct the product container 110. Generally, the panels 302 and the
closure flaps 362 are
folded into a generally perpendicular orientation relative to a corresponding
panel 302 to which it
is connected.
1001221 As best illustrated in Figs. 7 and 9, in one or more examples, panel
380 (e.g., forming
the first dunnage panel 210) is folded to be generally parallel to panel 374
(e.g., forming the
bottom wall 140). Panels 396 (e.g., forming the first brace panel 122) are
folded to be generally
perpendicular to panel 380 (e.g., forming the first dunnage panel 210) and are
folded relative to
each other to extend between panel 380 (e.g., forming the first dunnage panel
210) and panel 374
(e.g., forming the bottom wall 140). Panels 402 (e.g., forming the second
brace panel 144) are
folded to be generally perpendicular to panel 380 (e.g., forming the first
dunnage panel 210) and
are folded relative to each other to extend between panel 380 (e.g., forming
the first dunnage
panel 210) and panel 374 (e.g., forming the bottom wall 140).
1001231 As best illustrated in Figs. 7 and 9, in one or more examples, panel
384 (e.g., forming
the second dunnage panel 212) is folded to be generally parallel to and in
face-to-face
relationship with panel 380 (e.g., forming the first dunnage panel 210). Panel
408 (e.g., forming
the third brace panel 146) is folded to be generally perpendicular to panel
384 (e.g., forming the
second dunnage panel 212) to extend between panel 384 (e.g., forming the
second dunnage panel
212) and panel 366 (e.g., forming the lid 116 or the top wall 142). Panel 412
(e.g., forming the
fourth brace panel 148) is folded to be generally perpendicular to panel 384
(e.g., forming the
second dunnage panel 212) to extend between panel 384 (e.g., forming the
second dunnage panel
212) and panel 366 (e.g., forming the lid 116 or the top wall 142).
1001241 As best illustrated in Figs. 8 and 10, in one or more examples, panel
366 (e.g., forming
the lid 116) is folded to be generally perpendicular to panel 370 (e.g.,
forming the second
sidewall 130) and generally parallel to panel 374 (e.g., forming the bottom
wall 140) to form the
top wall 142 of the product container 110. Panel 366 (e.g., forming the top
wall 142) engages
and applies a force to panel 408 (e.g., forming the third brace panel 146) and
to panel 412 (e.g.,
forming the fourth brace panel 148) to urge panel 384 (e.g., forming the
second dunnage panel
212) toward panel 380 (e.g., forming the first dunnage panel 210). The force
applied to panel 408
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(e.g., forming the third brace panel 146) and to panel 412 (e.g., forming the
fourth brace panel
148) by panel 408 (e.g., forming the third brace panel 146), when the lid 116
is closed, provides
a clamping force that secures the article 102 between the first dunnage panel
210 and the second
dunnage panel 212.
1001251 By way of examples, the present disclosure is also directed to a
method for forming
(e.g., making, assembling, or constructing) the product container 110 from the
blank 300.
1001261 In one or more examples, the method includes a step of forming the
plurality of
discontinuous lines of weakness 218 in a first one of the plurality of panels
302 (e.g., panel 320
as shown in Fig. 1 or panel 380 shown in Fig. 6) connected along the plurality
of fold lines 304.
In one or more examples, the method optionally includes a step of forming the
plurality of
second discontinuous lines of weakness 220 in a second one of the series of
panels 302 (e.g.,
panel 342 as shown in Fig. 1 or panel 384 shown in Fig. 6). In one or more
examples, the method
includes a step of folding the panels 502 about the plurality of fold lines
304 to form the product
container 110, including, but not limited to, forming the container body 114
that defines the
internal volume 112 from a portion or set of the plurality of panels 302,
forming the first
dunnage panel 210 located in the internal volume 112 of the container body 114
from the first
one of the panels 302, and forming the second dunnage panel 212 located in the
internal volume
112 of the container body 114 from the second one of panels 302. The first
dunnage panel 210
and the second dunnage panel 212 are substantially aligned with each other and
are laterally
spaced apart from each other.
1001271 By way of examples, the present disclosure is also directed to a
method for packaging
product (e.g., one or more articles 102). In one or more examples, the method
includes a step of
partially assembling the packaging system 100 by folding the plurality of
panels 302 of the blank
300 along the plurality of fold lines 304 provided therein to form the product
container 110 that
includes the container body 114 that defines the internal volume 112, the
first dunnage panel 210
that is located in the internal volume 112 of the container body 114 and that
includes the
plurality of discontinuous lines of weakness 218, and the second dunnage panel
212 that is
located in the internal volume 112 of the container body 114 and, optionally,
that includes the
plurality of second discontinuous lines of weakness 220. The first dunnage
panel 210 and the
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second dunnage panel 212 are substantially aligned with each other and are
laterally spaced apart
from each other. In one or more examples, the method also includes a step of
securing the article
102 between the first dunnage panel 210 and the second dunnage panel 212.
[00128] As such, the disclosed product container 110 beneficially provides for
the packaging
system 100 and packaging method that secures and protects the article 102
during shipping
without the need for supplemental packaging materials. The product container
110 is made
entirely of recyclable materials, which beneficially reduces waste.
[00129] For the purpose of the present disclosure, as used herein, the term
"container" refers to
and/or includes any one of various types of packaging structures suitable for
containing product,
such as, but not limited to, a carton, a box, a case, a pack, a holder, or
other suitable packaging
structure.
[00130] For the purpose of the present disclosure, as used herein, the term
"product" generally
refers to one or more articles that are typically shipped, for example,
individually or as a group,
using a shipping container. For the purpose of the present disclosure, as used
herein, the terms
"article" and "articles" refer to or include any one of various types of
contents suitable to be
contained by the product container 110, such as, but not limited to, consumer
goods or other
articles of manufacture. As specific, non-limiting, examples, the article 102
contained by the
product container 110 and secured between the first dunnage panel 210 and the
second dunnage
panel 212 is a cosmetic product (e.g., makeup), a beauty product, or other
personal care product.
Further, the term "article" may refer to the primary product (e.g., lipstick,
nail polish, cream,
foundation, etc.) and the primary product packaging (e.g., tube, jar, bottle,
etc.) that contains the
primary product.
[00131] As used herein, relative positional and/or orientational terms, such
as parallel,
perpendicular, and similar terms include approximations of such positional
and/or orientational
(e.g., approximately parallel, approximately perpendicular, etc.) As used
herein, the term
"approximately" refers to or represents a condition that is close to, but not
exactly, the stated
condition that still performs the desired function or achieves the desired
result. As an example,
the term "approximately" refers to a condition that is within an acceptable
predetermined
tolerance or accuracy, such as to a condition that is within 10% of the stated
condition.
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However, the term "approximately" does not exclude a condition that is exactly
the stated
condition. As used herein, the term "substantially" refers to a condition that
is essentially the
stated condition that performs the desired function or achieves the desired
result.
[00132] It is to be understood that, as used herein, the term "suitable
substrate" includes all
manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board,
cardboard, plastic,
combinations thereof, and the like. It should be recognized that one or other
numbers of blanks
300 may be employed, where suitable, for example, to provide the packaging
structure for the
product container 110, as described in more detail herein below.
[00133] In one or more examples, the blank 300 is constructed from sheet
material. The
product container 110 may be constructed from the blank 300 of the sheet
material using a
machine and/or by hand. In one example, the blank 300 is fabricated from a
corrugated
cardboard material. However, in other examples, the blank 300 may be
fabricated using any
suitable material, and therefore is not limited to a specific type of
material. In alternative
examples, the blank 300 is fabricated using cardboard, plastic, fiberboard,
paperboard,
foamboard, corrugated paper, and/or any suitable material known to those
skilled in the art and
guided by the teachings herein provided.
[00134] In one or more examples, the product container 110 and/or the blank
300 includes at
least one marking thereon including, without limitation, indicia that
communicates the product, a
manufacturer of the product and/or a seller of the product. For example, the
marking may include
printed text that indicates a product's name and briefly describes the
product, logos and/or
trademarks that indicate a manufacturer and/or seller of the product, and/or
designs and/or
ornamentation that attract attention. In other examples, the product container
110 is void of
markings, such as, without limitation, indicia that communicates the product,
a manufacturer of
the product and/or a seller of the product.
[00135] The examples of the product container 110 described herein and
illustrated in Figs.
2-5 and 7-10 provide exemplary sizes, shapes, and/or configurations of the
product container
110. However, in other examples, the product container 110 may have any
suitable size, shape
and/or configuration, i.e., any suitable number of sides having any suitable
size, shape and/or
configuration. Further, the examples of the product container 110 described
herein and illustrated
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in Figs. 2-5 and 7-10 provide exemplary positions and orientations of
structural components of
the product container 110 (e.g., sidewalls, end walls, bottom wall, top wall,
dunnage panels,
brace panels, etc.) relative to other structural components of the product
container 110. However,
in other examples, the structural components of the product container 110
(e.g., sidewalls, end
walls, bottom wall, top wall, dunnage panels, brace panels, etc.) may have any
other suitable
positions and/or orientations relative to other structural components of the
product container 110.
[00136] The examples of the blank 300 described herein and illustrated in
Figs. 1 and 6
provide exemplary layouts, sizes, shapes, and/or configurations of the blank
300. However, in
other examples, the blank 300 may have any suitable layout size, shape and/or
configuration, i.e.,
any suitable number of panels and fold lines having any suitable size, shape
and/or configuration.
Further, the examples of the blank 300 described herein and illustrated in
Figs. 1 and 6 provide
exemplary positions and orientations of structural components of the blank 300
(e.g., panels, fold
lines, flaps, tabs, apertures, edges, etc.) relative to other structural
components of the blank 300.
However, in other examples, the structural components of the blank 300 (e.g.,
e.g., panels, fold
lines, flaps, tabs, apertures, edges, etc.) may have any other suitable
positions and/or orientations
relative to other structural components of the blank 300.
1001371 In one or more examples, the product container 110 and/or the blank
300 is formed
from a sheet material, such as a sheet of suitable substrate (e.g.,
paperboard, corrugated board,
cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like). In one or more
examples, the sheet
material is made of, or is coated with, materials to increase its strength. An
example of such a
sheet material is tear resistant NATRALOCK paperboard made by WestRock
Company. It
should be noted that the tear resistant materials may be provided by more than
one layer, to help
improve the tear-resistance of the package.
[00138] In one or more examples, one surface of the sheet material (e.g.,
forming the product
container 110 or the blank 300) has different characteristics to the other
surface. For example, an
exterior surface of the sheet material (e.g., that faces outwardly from an
assembled product
container 110) may be particularly smooth and/or may have a coating, such as a
clay coating or
other surface treatment, to provide good printability. An interior surface of
the sheet material
(e.g.., that faces inwardly) may be provided with a coating, a layer, a
treatment, or be otherwise
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prepared to provide properties such as one or more of tear-resistance, good
glue-ability, heat
sealability, or other desired functional properties. Additional functional
coatings and/or barrier
coatings that provide other properties, such as liquid-resistance, moisture-
resistance, and the like,
may also be applied to one or both surfaces of the sheet material.
1001391 In one or more examples, the blank 300 and, thus, the product
container 110 are
formed from a sheet material, such as a paperboard substrate. The paperboard
substrate may be,
for example, a solid bleached sulfate (SBS) substrate, an uncoated natural
kraft (UNC) substrate,
or a coated natural kraft (CNK) substrate. The paperboard substrate may be
formed from virgin
fibers, recycled fibers, or combinations thereof.
1001401 In one or more examples, the blank 300 and, thus, the product
container 110 are made
of cardboard or other suitable heavy-duty paper-based material. In one or more
examples, the
blank 300 and, thus, the product container 110 are made of corrugated board,
such as corrugated
board that includes two liner sheets and an inner fluted corrugated material
sandwiched between
and coupled to the liner sheets. Use of corrugated board advantageously
provides beneficial
durability and other mechanical attributes, such as rigidity and foldability,
to the product
container 110.
1001411 The preceding detailed description refers to the accompanying
drawings, which
illustrate specific examples of the disclosed product container, blank, and
methods described by
the present disclosure. It will be understood that the disclosed examples are
merely exemplary
embodiments of the way in which certain aspects of the of the disclosed
product container,
packaging system, and methods can be implemented and do not represent an
exhaustive list of all
of the ways the of the disclosed product container, packaging system, and
methods may be
embodied. Other examples having different structures and operations do not
depart from the
scope of the present disclosure. Like reference numerals may refer to the same
feature, element,
or component in the different drawings. The figures are not necessarily to
scale and some
features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular
components. Throughout
the present disclosure, any one of a plurality of items may be referred to
individually as the item
and a plurality of items may be referred to collectively as the items.
Moreover, as used herein, a
feature, element, component, or step preceded with the word "a" or "an" should
be understood as
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not excluding a plurality of features, elements, components or steps, unless
such exclusion is
explicitly recited.
1001421 Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples, which may be, but are not
necessarily, claimed,
of the subject matter according to the present disclosure are provided above.
Reference herein to
"example" means that one or more feature, structure, element, component,
characteristic, and/or
operational step described in connection with the example is included in at
least one aspect,
embodiment, and/or implementation of the subject matter according to the
present disclosure.
Thus, the phrases -an example,- -another example,- -one or more examples,- and
similar
language throughout the present disclosure may, but do not necessarily, refer
to the same
example. Further, the subject matter characterizing any one example may, but
does not
necessarily, include the subject matter characterizing any other example.
Moreover, the subject
matter characterizing any one example may be, but is not necessarily, combined
with the subject
matter characterizing any other example.
1001431 It is to be understood that not necessarily all objects or advantages
may be achieved in
accordance with any particular example described herein. Thus, for example,
those skilled in the
art will recognize that certain examples may be configured to operate in a
manner that achieves
or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without
necessarily
achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
1001441 It should be appreciated that, when used to modify a structure, an
element, an item, a
component or a feature described herein, the terms "front," "back," "rear,"
"bottom," "top,"
"left," "right," "side," "end," "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," as well as
similar terms or other
forms of such terms, are relative and refer to an example of a spatial
relationship between
structures, elements, items, components or features. As such, examples of the
blank 300 and the
product container 110, described herein and illustrated in the figures, are
not intended to be
limited by the specific relative terms used to describe any structure,
element, item, component or
feature thereof.
1001451 As used herein, the terms "hinged connection" and "fold line" refer to
all manner of
lines that define hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding portions of
the blank with respect
to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal panel folding locations for the
blank. Any reference
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to "hinged connection" should not be construed as necessarily referring to a
single fold line only;
indeed, a hinged connection can be formed from two or more fold lines wherein
each of the two
or more fold lines may be either straight/linear or curved/curvilinear in
shape. When linear fold
lines form a hinged connection, they may be disposed generally parallel with
each other or be
slightly angled with respect to each other. When curvilinear fold lines form a
hinged connection,
they may intersect each other to define a shaped panel within the area
surrounded by the
curvilinear fold lines. A typical example of such a hinged connection may
include a pair of
arched or arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points such that they define
an elliptical panel
therebetween. A hinged connection may be formed from one or more linear fold
lines and one or
more curvilinear fold lines. A typical example of such a hinged connection may
comprise a
combination of a linear fold line and an arched or arcuate fold line which
intersect at two points
such that they define a half moon-shaped panel therebetween.
1001461 As used herein, the term "fold line" may refer to one of the
following: a scored line, an
embossed line, a debossed line, a line of perforations, a line of short slits,
a line of half-cuts, a
single half-cut, an interrupted cutline, a line of aligned slits, a line of
scores and any combination
of the aforesaid options.
1001471 It should be understood that hinged connections and fold lines can
each include
elements that are formed in the substrate of the blank including perforations,
a line of
perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a
cutline, an interrupted
cutline, slits, scores, embossed lines, debossed lines, any combination
thereof, and the like. The
elements can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality.
For example, a
line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness
to define a fold
line and/or a severance line. The line of perforations can be designed to
facilitate folding and
resist breaking, to facilitate folding and facilitate breaking with more
effort, or to facilitate
breaking with little effort.
1001481 Conditional language such as, among others, "can" or "may," unless
specifically stated
otherwise, are otherwise understood within the context as used in general to
convey that certain
examples include, while other examples do not include, certain features,
elements and/or steps.
Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that
features, elements and/or
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steps are in any way required for one or more examples or that one or more
examples necessarily
include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether
these features,
elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular
example.
1001491 Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc.
are used herein
merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or
hierarchical requirements
on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a
"second" item does not
require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a "first" or lower-numbered item,
and/or, e.g., a "third"
or higher-numbered item.
1001501 Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all elements
described and illustrated in
Figs. 1-11 need be included in every example and not all elements described
herein are
necessarily depicted in each illustrative example. Unless otherwise explicitly
stated, the
schematic illustrations of the examples depicted in Figs. 1-11 are not meant
to imply structural
limitations with respect to the illustrative example. Rather, although one
illustrative structure is
indicated, it is to be understood that the structure may be modified when
appropriate.
Additionally, modifications, additions and/or omissions may be made to the
illustrated structure.
1001511 Further, references throughout the present specification to features,
advantages, or
similar language used herein do not imply that all of the features and
advantages that may be
realized with the examples disclosed herein should be, or are in, any single
example. Rather,
language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a
specific feature,
advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an example is
included in at least one
example. Thus, discussion of features, advantages, and similar language used
throughout the
present disclosure may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same example.
1001521 The described features, advantages, and characteristics of one example
may be
combined in any suitable manner in one or more other examples. One skilled in
the relevant art
will recognize that the examples described herein may be practiced without one
or more of the
specific features or advantages of a particular example. In other instances,
additional features and
advantages may be recognized in certain examples that may not be present in
all examples.
Furthermore, although various examples of the product container 110, the
packaging system 100,
the blank 300, and methods have been shown and described, modifications may
occur to those
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PCT/US2022/041129
skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application
includes such
modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.
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