Container

Abstract

A container for carrying contents therein and having a handle, and an article of commerce or blank for forming the container, is disclosed herein.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . An article of commerce for forming a container, comprising:
 a top panel coupled to a first side panel;   a coupling panel coupled to a second side panel;   wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are configured to have a first closed position wherein the first side panel and second side panel are in spaced apart face to face relationship, forming a storage region therebetween and at least partially defining a top opening;   wherein the top panel is configured to couple to the coupling panel in face to face relationship and to at least partially overlap the top opening of the storage region when the first side panel and second side panel are in the first closed position to form a second closed position;   wherein the coupling panel extends partially across the top opening when in the second closed position;   wherein the top panel extends at least partially across the top opening when in the second closed position and at least partially overlaps the coupling panel;   a first break forming a portion of a perimeter of a handle panel, wherein a separate portion of the perimeter of the handle panel is a first hinge about which the handle panel may be moved toward the storage region, and wherein the handle panel is located on the top panel relative to the coupling panel and configured to fold underneath the coupling panel to form a three layer reinforced grip section; and   a second break forming a portion of a perimeter of a dispensing panel, wherein the second break at least partially surrounds the first break and is configured to be moved to form a dispensing area.   
     
     
         2 . The article of commerce of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling panel extends across the top opening less than about 50% of the top opening in a length direction extending from the first side panel to the second side panel. 
     
     
         3 . The article of commerce of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling panel extends across the top opening less than about 25% of the top opening in a length direction extending from the first side panel to the second side panel. 
     
     
         4 . The article of commerce of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling panel extends across the top opening less than about 10% of the top opening in a length direction extending from the first side panel to the second side panel. 
     
     
         5 . The article of commerce of  claim 1 , further comprising at least six panels. 
     
     
         6 . The article of commerce of  claim 5 , wherein the six panels include the top panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, the dispensing panel, the handle panel, and a bottom panel. 
     
     
         7 . The article of commerce of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one side flap extending from a side edge of at least one of the top panel, first side panel, and second side panel. 
     
     
         8 . The article of commerce of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling panel includes an attachment area configured to attach to an underside of the top panel. 
     
     
         9 . The article of commerce of  claim 8 , wherein the attachment area includes an adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . The article of commerce of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the top panel, first side panel, and second side panel are substantially formed of at least one of corrugated cardboard and chipboard. 
     
     
         11 . The article of commerce of  claim 1 , wherein the first break extends away from the hinge and toward the dispensing panel. 
     
     
         12 . The article of commerce of  claim 1 , wherein the handle panel has a width of about 1 to about 6 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The article of commerce of  claim 1 , wherein the handle panel has a length of about 0.5 inches to about 6 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The article of commerce of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge of the handle panel is located at a distance of about 0.25 inches to about 6 inches from a front or fourth edge of the top panel. 
     
     
         15 . The article of commerce of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing panel has a length of about 6 to 7 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The article of commerce of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge is located off-center of the top panel toward a front or fourth edge of the top panel. 
     
     
         17 . The article of commerce of  claim 1 , further comprising a third break or extension extending away from the hinge toward at least one of the first break and second break line. 
     
     
         18 . A multi-panel container, comprising:
 a top panel coupled to a first side panel;   a coupling panel coupled to a second side panel;   wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are oriented in a closed position wherein the first side panel and second side panel are in spaced apart face to face relationship, forming a storage region therebetween and at least partially defining a top opening;   wherein the top panel is coupled to the coupling panel in face to face relationship and in at least partial overlap over the top opening of the storage region when the first side panel and second side panel are in the first closed position to form a second closed position;   wherein the coupling panel extends at least partially across the top opening;   wherein the top panel extends at least partially across the top opening and at least partially overlaps the coupling panel;   a first break forming a portion of a perimeter of a handle panel, wherein a separate portion of the perimeter of the handle panel is a first hinge about which the handle panel may be moved toward the storage region, and wherein the handle panel is located on the top panel relative to the coupling panel so that it may be folded underneath the coupling panel to form a three layer reinforced grip section; and   a second break forming a portion of a perimeter of a dispensing panel, wherein the second break at least partially surrounds the first break and is configured to be moved to form a dispensing area through which articles may be removed from the storage region.   
     
     
         19 . A lid for a container, the lid comprising:
 a top panel and a coupling panel;   the top panel including a dispensing panel and a hinge panel;   wherein the dispensing panel at least partially surrounds the hinge panel;   wherein the hinge panel has a hinge about which the hinge is rotatable between a closed position and an open position, the hinge offset from a center of the top panel toward the coupling panel;   wherein the coupling panel is configured to extend less than halfway across an underside of the top panel and couple to the underside of the top panel; and   wherein the top panel, coupling panel, and hinge panel are configured to form a three layer reinforced carrying portion.