Carton with reducibility feature

Abstract

Bliss-type containers fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard are provided, having one or more regions of weakness to facilitate manual reduction of the used containers into substantially flattened configurations for facilitated recycling thereof.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A container for packaging and shipping articles, fabricated at least in part from at least one of paper, paperboard and corrugated paperboard material, the container being reducible from a packaging and shipping configuration, to a configuration that facilitates the flattening and bundling of pluralities of the container for subsequent recycling, the container comprising: 
 a body wrap portion including at least a substantially rectangular center panel and two substantially rectangular side panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and disposed substantially perpendicular thereto, the two substantially rectangular side panels being disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other,    two first attachment flaps emanating along first lines of weakness from opposing end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, the two first attachment flaps being disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially rectangular center panel, the two first attachment flaps further being disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other,    two second attachment flaps emanating along second lines of weakness from opposing end edges of each of the substantially rectangular side panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, the two second attachment flaps being disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially rectangular center panel, the two second attachment flaps further being disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other, the second lines of weakness being disposed substantially perpendicular to the first lines of weakness;    two end panel portions, each including at least a central panel, each of the two end panel portions being disposed adjacent one of the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, each end panel portion having one of the first attachment flaps and one second attachment flap from each of the substantially rectangular side panels disposed in substantially parallel overlying affixed relation thereto, to define a container having five panel faces arranged in substantially rigid orientation thereto and an article containing region formed therewithin;    the container further including at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container.    
     
     
         2 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the body wrap portion further comprises: 
 two substantially rectangular closure panels, emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, and disposed in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, the two substantially rectangular closure panels being further disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation to the substantially rectangular center panel, free edges of the two substantially rectangular closure panels being disposed in substantially parallel, adjacent relation to one another.    
     
     
         3 . The container according to  claim 2 , wherein the two substantially rectangular closure panels are maintained in their substantially parallel spaced relation to the substantially rectangular center panel, by a tape closure member affixedly connecting at least the two substantially rectangular closure panels.  
     
     
         4 . The container according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof.    
     
     
         5 . The container according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 a pair of parallel perforations disposed in each central panel of each of the two end panel portions, extending from a top edge region thereof to a bottom edge region thereof, to facilitate separation of a free portion of each central panel from portions of each central panel to which the second attachment flaps are affixed.    
     
     
         6 . The container according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 a line of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and each of the first attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each central panel from the substantially rectangular center panel.    
     
     
         7 . The container according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 two third attachment flaps emanating along third lines of weakness from opposing end edges of each of the two substantially rectangular closure panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, the two third attachment flaps being disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially rectangular closure panels, the two third attachment flaps being further disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other, the third lines of weakness being disposed substantially parallel to the first lines of weakness.    
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the two substantially rectangular closure panels are maintained in their substantially parallel spaced relation to the substantially rectangular center panel, by affixation of the two third attachment flaps to the central panels of the two end panel portions.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof.    
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 a pair of parallel perforations disposed in each central panel of each of the two end panel portions, extending from a top edge region thereof to a bottom edge region thereof, to facilitate separation of a free portion of each central panel from portions of each central panel to which the second attachment flaps are affixed.    
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 a line of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and each of the first attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each end panel portion from the substantially rectangular center panel.    
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 lines of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, and each of the second attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each end panel portion from the substantially rectangular side panels.    
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof, to facilitate separation of the substantially rectangular center panel into two remaining disconnection portions thereof, the two remaining disconnected portions of the substantially rectangular center panel being thereafter repositionable to orientations substantially parallel to the substantially rectangular side panels, to further permit the substantially rectangular side panels to be collapsed inwardly toward one another into substantially juxtaposed partially overlying relation to one another.    
     
     
         14 . Blanks for a container for packaging and shipping articles, fabricated at least in part from at least one of paper, paperboard and corrugated paperboard material, the container being reducible from a packaging and shipping configuration, to a configuration that facilitates bundling of pluralities of the container for subsequent recycling, the blanks comprising: 
 a body wrap blank including at least a substantially rectangular center panel and two substantially rectangular side panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular center panel,    two first attachment flaps emanating along first lines of weakness from opposing end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel,    two second attachment flaps emanating along second lines of weakness from opposing end edges of each of the substantially rectangular side panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, the second lines of weakness being disposed substantially perpendicular to the first lines of weakness;    two end panel blanks, each including at least a central panel;    the blanks further including at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container.    
     
     
         15 . The blanks according to  claim 14 , wherein the body wrap blank further comprises: 
 two substantially rectangular closure panels, emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular side panels.    
     
     
         16 . The blanks according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof.    
     
     
         17 . The blanks according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 a pair of parallel perforations disposed in each central panel of each of the two end panel blanks, extending from a top edge region thereof to a bottom edge region thereof, to facilitate separation of a free portion of each central panel from portions of each central panel to which the second attachment flaps are affixed.    
     
     
         18 . The blanks according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 a line of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and each of the first attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each central panel from the substantially rectangular center panel.    
     
     
         19 . The blanks according to  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 two third attachment flaps emanating along third lines of weakness from opposing end edges of each of the two substantially rectangular closure panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, the third lines of weakness being disposed substantially parallel to the first lines of weakness.    
     
     
         20 . The blanks of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof.    
     
     
         21 . The blanks of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 a pair of parallel perforations disposed in each central panel of each of the two end panel portions, extending from a top edge region thereof to a bottom edge region thereof, to facilitate separation of a free portion of each central panel from portions of each central panel to which the second attachment flaps are affixed.    
     
     
         22 . The blanks of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 a line of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and each of the first attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each end panel portion from the substantially rectangular center panel.    
     
     
         23 . The blanks of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 lines of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, and each of the second attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each end panel portion from the substantially rectangular side panels.    
     
     
         24 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises: 
 a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof, to facilitate separation of the substantially rectangular center panel into two remaining disconnection portions thereof, the two remaining disconnected portions of the substantially rectangular center panel being thereafter repositionable to orientations substantially parallel to the substantially rectangular side panels, to further permit the substantially rectangular side panels to be collapsed inwardly toward one another into substantially juxtaposed partially overlying relation to one another.    
     
     
         25 . A method for reducing a container for packaging and shipping articles, fabricated at least in part from at least one of paper, paperboard and corrugated paperboard material, from a packaging and shipping configuration, to a configuration that facilitates the flattening and bundling of pluralities of the container for subsequent recycling, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a body wrap portion including at least a substantially rectangular center panel and two substantially rectangular side panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and disposed substantially perpendicular thereto, the two substantially rectangular side panels being disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other,    providing two first attachment flaps emanating along first lines of weakness from opposing end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, the two first attachment flaps being disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially rectangular center panel, the two first attachment flaps further being disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other,    providing two second attachment flaps emanating along second lines of weakness from opposing end edges of each of the substantially rectangular side panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, the two second attachment flaps being disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially rectangular center panel, the two second attachment flaps further being disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other, the second lines of weakness being disposed substantially perpendicular to the first lines of weakness;    providing two end panel portions, each including at least a central panel, each of the two end panel portions being disposed adjacent one of the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, each end panel portion having one of the first attachment flaps and one second attachment flap from each of the substantially rectangular side panels disposed in substantially parallel overlying affixed relation thereto, to define a container having five panel faces arranged in substantially rigid orientation thereto and an article containing region formed therewithin;    further providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container; and    tearing the container along the at least one region of frangibility to reduce the container to a substantially flattened configuration.    
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the step of providing the body wrap portion further comprises the step of: 
 providing two substantially rectangular closure panels, emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, and disposed in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, the two substantially rectangular closure panels being further disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation to the substantially rectangular center panel, free edges of the two substantially rectangular closure panels being disposed in substantially parallel, adjacent relation to one another.    
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , further providing the step of maintaining the two substantially rectangular closure panels in their substantially parallel spaced relation to the substantially rectangular center panel, by a tape closure member affixedly connecting at least the two substantially rectangular closure panels.  
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises the step of: 
 providing a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof.    
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container further comprises the step of: 
 providing a pair of parallel perforations disposed in each central panel of each of the two end panel portions, extending from a top edge region thereof to a bottom edge region thereof, to facilitate separation of a free portion of each central panel from portions of each central panel to which the second attachment flaps are affixed.    
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container further comprises the step of: 
 providing a line of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and each of the first attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each central panel from the substantially rectangular center panel.    
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 26 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing two third attachment flaps emanating along third lines of weakness from opposing end edges of each of the two substantially rectangular closure panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, the two third attachment flaps being disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially rectangular closure panels, the two third attachment flaps being further disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other, the third lines of weakness being disposed substantially parallel to the first lines of weakness.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising the step of maintaining the two substantially rectangular closure panels in their substantially parallel spaced relation to the substantially rectangular center panel, by affixation of the two third attachment flaps to the central panels of the two end panel portions.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container further comprises the step of: 
 providing a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof.    
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container further comprises the step of: 
 providing a pair of parallel perforations disposed in each central panel of each of the two end panel portions, extending from a top edge region thereof to a bottom edge region thereof, to facilitate separation of a free portion of each central panel from portions of each central panel to which the second attachment flaps are affixed.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container further comprises the step of: 
 providing a line of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and each of the first attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each end panel portion from the substantially rectangular center panel.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container further comprises the step of: 
 lines of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, and each of the second attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each end panel portion from the substantially rectangular side panels.    
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container further comprises the step of: 
 providing a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof, to facilitate separation of the substantially rectangular center panel into two remaining disconnection portions thereof, the two remaining disconnected portions of the substantially rectangular center panel being thereafter repositionable to orientations substantially parallel to the substantially rectangular side panels, to further permit the substantially rectangular side panels to be collapsed inwardly toward one another into substantially juxtaposed partially overlying relation to one another.