Container for bagged beverages

Abstract

A container with first and second opposing, parallel side panels; third and fourth opposing, parallel side panels which define an enclosure; optional first, second, third and fourth corner panels interposed between adjacent ones of the side panels; first and second top flaps respectively associated with the first and second side panels by first and second top creases or fold lines; and third and fourth top flaps respectively associated with the third and fourth side panels by third and fourth top creases or fold lines. The first top crease or fold line is coplanar with a top plane of the container; and the third and fourth top creases are offset below the top plane.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A method for containing bagged beverages, said method comprising: 
 (a) providing a blank having: 
 (i) first, second third and fourth side panels;  
 (ii) first, second, third and fourth corner panels, each said corner panel interposed between adjacent ones of said side panels;  
 (iii) a glue flap joined to one of said corner panels;  
 (iv) first and second foldable top flaps respectively associated with said first ansecond side panels by first and second top creases, said first and second top flaps each configured to conform in shape to said octagonal enclosure;  
 (v) third and fourth foldable top flaps respectively associated with said third and fourth side panels by third and fourth top creases;  
 (vi) said first top crease coplanar with a top plane, said second, third and fourth top creases offset from said top plane;  
 (vii) first and second foldable bottom flaps respectively associated with said first and second side panels by first and second bottom creases, said first and second bottom flaps each configured to conform in shape to said octagonal enclosure;  
 (viii) third and fourth foldable bottom flaps respectively associated with said third and fourth side panels by third and fourth bottom creases;  
 (ix) said first bottom crease coplanar with a bottom plane, said second, third and fourth bottom creases offset from said bottom plane;  
   (b) folding said blank such that said first and second side panels oppose each other and said third and fourth side panels oppose each other, said side panels and said corner panels forming an octagonal enclosure;    (c) adhering said glue flap to an adjacent one of said side panels;    (d) folding said second bottom flap inward;    (e) folding said third and fourth bottom flaps inward; and    (f) folding said first bottom flap inward.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising adhering an inner surface of said first bottom flap to outer surfaces of said third and fourth bottom flaps.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising inserting a beverage bag into said octagonal enclosure.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 (a) folding said second top flap inward;    (b) folding said third and fourth top flaps inward; and    (c) folding said first bottom flap inward.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising adhering an inner surface of said first top flap to outer surfaces of said third and fourth top flaps.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said folding said second bottom flap inward further comprises aligning and contracting corner edges of said second bottom flap with adjacent ones of said corner panels.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said folding said second bottom flap inward further comprises aligning and contracting side edges of said second bottom flap with adjacent ones of said side panels.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said folding said second top flap inward further comprises aligning and contracting corner edges of said second top flap with adjacent ones of said corner panels.  
   
   
       30 . The method of claim  29 , wherein said folding said second top flap inward further comprises aligning and contracting side edges of said second top flap with adjacent ones of said side panels.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising inserting a pour spigot of said beverage bag through a spigot pop-out in one of said side panels.