Article-embedded folding container and method for producing same

Abstract

A packaging blank capable of forming a container having at least two internal compartments comprises in one embodiment a substantially rectangular bottom panel having opposing first and second side panels, a substantially rectangular top panel connected to the bottom panel by the second side panel, and an internal panel connected to the top panel by a first glue flap, wherein the bottom panel typically includes at least one display window. Upon construction the packaging blank provides a container having multiple internal compartments that may be viewable through a plurality of display windows. A method of packaging a product and an associated article comprises in one embodiment the steps of providing a blank, folding the internal panel over the top panel, positioning the article on the internal panel, folding the bottom panel over the internal panel, and securing the container formed by the blank.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of packaging articles, said method comprising: 
 providing a flexible blank having an internal planar side and an external planar side, said blank comprising a bottom panel having a first and second side panel, a top panel connected to the bottom panel by the second side panel, and an internal panel that is connected to the top panel by a first glue flap, opposite the top panel;    folding the internal panel over the top panel upon which at least one article is positioned;    positioning at least one article to be packaged on the external planar side of the internal panel; and    folding the bottom panel over the internal panel.    
     
     
         2 . A packaging method according to  claim 1 , wherein the blank provided includes a second glue flap connected to the internal panel, opposite the first glue flap; and 
 the step of folding the internal panel comprises: 
 folding the internal panel to a position substantially adjacent the top panel; and  
 adhering the second glue flap to the second side panel.  
   
     
     
         3 . A packaging method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of positioning at least one article comprises adhering the article to be packaged to the internal panel.  
     
     
         4 . A packaging method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of folding the bottom panel comprises adhering a portion of the bottom panel to the internal panel, thereby forming a substantially flat container.  
     
     
         5 . A packaging method according to  claim 4 , wherein the step of adhering a portion of the bottom panel further comprises adhering the first side panel to the first glue flap.  
     
     
         6 . A packaging method according to  claim 4 , wherein the step of folding the bottom panel further comprises folding the bottom panel over the internal panel such that at least one article is viewable through at least one display window formed in the bottom panel.  
     
     
         7 . A packaging method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 placing a product to be packaged on an internal planar side of the flexible blank; and    securing the container after the step of folding the bottom panel.    
     
     
         8 . A method of packaging articles, said method comprising: 
 providing a one-piece flexible blank having an internal planar side and an external planar side, said blank comprising a bottom panel having a first and second side panel, a top panel connected to the bottom panel by the second side panel, and an internal panel that is connected to the top panel by a first glue flap, opposite the top panel;    providing a product to be packaged;    placing the product on the internal planar side of the flexible blank;    folding the internal panel over the top panel;    positioning at least one article to be packaged on the external planar side of the internal panel; and    folding the bottom panel over the internal panel.    
     
     
         9 . A packaging method according to  claim 8 , wherein the one-piece flexible blank further comprises a second glue flap connected to the internal panel, opposite the first glue flap; and 
 wherein the step of placing the product comprises adhering the product to the internal planar side of the one-piece flexible blank.    
     
     
         10 . A packaging method according to  claim 8 , wherein the step of folding the internal panel comprises folding the internal panel to a position substantially adjacent the top panel, and adhering the second glue flap to the second side panel.  
     
     
         11 . A packaging method according to  claim 8 , wherein the step of positioning at least one article comprises adhering the article to be packaged to the internal panel.  
     
     
         12 . A packaging method according to  claim 8 , wherein the step of folding the bottom panel comprises adhering a portion of the bottom panel to the internal panel, thereby forming a substantially flat container.  
     
     
         13 . A packaging method according to  claim 12 , wherein the step of adhering a portion of the bottom panel further comprises adhering the first side panel to the first glue flap.  
     
     
         14 . A packaging method according to  claim 12 , wherein the step of folding the bottom panel further comprises folding the bottom panel over the internal panel such that at least one article is viewable through at least one display window formed in the bottom panel.  
     
     
         15 . A method of packaging articles, said method comprising: 
 providing a flexible blank having an internal planar side and an external planar side, wherein the external planar side of the blank is finished, said blank comprising a bottom panel having a first and second side panel, a top panel connected to the bottom panel by the second side panel, an internal panel that is connected to the top panel by a first glue flap, opposite the top panel, and a second glue flap connected to the internal panel, opposite the first glue flap;    providing a product to be packaged;    providing one informational insert to be packaged;    placing the product on the internal planar side of the flexible blank;    folding the internal panel over the top panel;    positioning the informational insert on the external planar side of the internal panel; and    folding the bottom panel over the internal panel.    
     
     
         16 . A packaging method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of placing the product comprises adhering the product to the internal planar side of the top panel.  
     
     
         17 . A packaging method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of folding the internal panel comprises folding the internal panel to a position substantially adjacent the top panel, and adhering the second glue flap to the second side panel.  
     
     
         18 . A packaging method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of positioning at least one article comprises adhering the article to be packaged to the internal panel.  
     
     
         19 . A packaging method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of folding the bottom panel comprises adhering a portion of the bottom panel to the internal panel, thereby forming a substantially flat container.  
     
     
         20 . A packaging method according to  claim 19 , wherein the step of folding the bottom panel further comprises folding the bottom panel over the internal panel such that at least one article is viewable through at least one display window formed in the bottom panel.