Container for shipping a product and method of constructing the same

Abstract

A container for packaging a product is provided. The container is formed from a continuous blank of sheet material having an internal surface and an opposing external surface. The container includes a top panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposing side edges. The container further includes a hinge panel connected to the bottom edge of the top panel along a first fold line, a rear panel connected to the hinge panel along a second fold line and connected to the top panel, and a first adhesive coating applied on the internal surface of the rear panel adjacent to the opposing side edges and the bottom edge defining a perimeter of a compartment for receiving a product. Moreover, after the product is placed in the compartment, the top panel and the rear panel are folded about the hinge panel such that at least a portion of the internal surfaces of the top and rear panels are attached to one another. A method of constructing the same is also provided.

1 . A container for packaging a product, the container formed from a continuous blank of sheet material having an internal surface and an opposing external surface, the container comprising:
 a top panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposing side edges;   a hinge panel connected to the bottom edge of the top panel along a first fold line;   a rear panel connected to the hinge panel along a second fold line and connected to the top panel; and   a first adhesive coating applied on the internal surface of the rear panel adjacent to the opposing side edges and the bottom edge defining a perimeter of a compartment for receiving a product, wherein after the product is placed in the compartment, the top panel and the rear panel are folded about the hinge panel such that at least a portion of the internal surfaces of the top and rear panels are attached to one another.   
     
     
         2 . A container in accordance with  claim 1  wherein a second adhesive coating is applied to at least a portion of the internal surface of the top panel, and wherein at least one of the first adhesive coating and the second adhesive coating is a co-adhesive coating. 
     
     
         3 . A container in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the first adhesive coating is applied in a U-shape to the internal surface of the rear panel. 
     
     
         4 . A container in accordance with  claim 1  wherein at least one of the top panel and the rear panel comprises a display window for viewing the product included within the container. 
     
     
         5 . A container in accordance with  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second fold lines is a curved score line. 
     
     
         6 . A container in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the blank comprises continuous flexible paperboard. 
     
     
         7 . A container in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the internal surface is scored. 
     
     
         8 . A blank of sheet material for constructing a container used for shipping a product, the blank having an internal surface and an opposing external surface, said blank comprising:
 a top panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposing side edges;   a hinge panel connected to the bottom edge of the top panel along a first fold line; and   a rear panel connected to the hinge panel along a second fold line and connected to the top panel, wherein the rear panel includes a first adhesive coating applied thereto on the internal surface of the rear panel adjacent to the opposing side edges and the bottom edge to a perimeter of a compartment for receiving the product.   
     
     
         9 . A blank in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the top panel includes a second adhesive coating applied to at least a portion of the internal surface of the top panel. 
     
     
         10 . A blank in accordance with  claim 9  wherein at least one of the first adhesive coating and the second adhesive coating is a co-adhesive coating. 
     
     
         11 . A blank in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the first adhesive coating is applied in a U-shape to the internal surface of the rear panel. 
     
     
         12 . A blank in accordance with  claim 8  wherein at least one of the top panel and the rear panel comprises a display window for viewing the product included within the container. 
     
     
         13 . A blank in accordance with  claim 8  wherein at least one of the first and second fold lines is a curved score line. 
     
     
         14 . A blank in accordance with  claim 8  further comprising continuous flexible paperboard. 
     
     
         15 . A container in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the internal surface is scored. 
     
     
         16 . A method of constructing a container used for shipping a product, the container is formed from a continuous blank of sheet material having an internal surface and an opposing external surface, the blank further includes a top panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposing side edges, the blank further includes a hinge panel connected to the bottom edge of the top panel along a first fold line, and a rear panel connected to the hinge panel along a second fold line and connected to the top panel, said method comprising:
 providing the blank of sheet material;   applying a first adhesive coating to a portion of the internal surface of the rear panel adjacent to the opposing side edges and the bottom edge defining a perimeter of a compartment for receiving the product;   placing the product within the compartment of the container;   folding the top panel towards the interior surface of the rear panel along the hinge panel; and   applying at least one of heat and pressure in the area of the coating to seal the container.   
     
     
         17 . A method in accordance with  claim 16  further comprising applying a second adhesive coating to at least a portion of the internal surface of the top panel. 
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 17  further comprising compressing the first adhesive coating and the second adhesive coating together using heat seal tooling to close the container. 
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 16  wherein at least one of the top panel and the rear panel has a display window, said method further comprising coupling a transparent plastic material to the internal surface adjacent at least a portion of the display window. 
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 16  further comprising folding the rear panel towards the interior surface of the top panel along the hinge panel.