Ambidextrous Convertible Packaging

Abstract

A blank for forming a container comprises a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines configured for extending at least partially around an interior space, including a front panel, a first side panel, a back panel opposed to the front panel and a second side panel opposed to the first side panel. A pair of opposed back flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the back panel. A pair of opposed first side flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the first side panel. A pair of opposed front flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the front panel. A pair of opposed second side flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the second side panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A blank for forming a container comprising:
 a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines configured for extending at least partially around an interior space, including a front panel, a first side panel, a back panel opposed to the front panel and a second side panel opposed to the first side panel;   a pair of opposed back flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the back panel;   a pair of opposed first side flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the first side panel;   a pair of opposed front flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the front panel; and   a pair of opposed second side flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the second side panel,   wherein a first one of the back flaps, a first one of the first side flaps, a first one of the front flaps, and a first one of the second side flaps are configured to form a top panel,   wherein a second one of the back flaps, a second one of the first side flaps, a second one of the front flaps, and a second one of the second side flaps are configured to form a bottom panel, and   wherein a line of weakness is defined across the back panel, the first side panel, the front panel, and the second side panel, wherein the line of weakness is configured to allow separation of a top portion of the container from a bottom portion of the container, and wherein the line of weakness is configured so the top portion and bottom portion are the same size and shape so the blank can be erected on a right-handed erector machine or a left-handed erector machine without changing appearance of the container after converting.   
     
     
         2 . The blank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a front panel portion of the line of weakness has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with a back panel portion of the line of weakness. 
     
     
         3 . The blank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a first side panel portion of the line of weakness has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with a second panel side portion of the line of weakness. 
     
     
         4 . The blank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the front panel, including its portion of the line of weakness, has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with the back panel. 
     
     
         5 . The blank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first side panel, including its portion of the line of weakness, has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with the back panel. 
     
     
         6 . The blank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the line of weakness follows at least a portion of an edge of at least one of the panels. 
     
     
         7 . The blank as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the line of weakness follows a central portion of an edge of the front panel, and a central portion of an edge of the back panel. 
     
     
         8 . The blank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the line of weakness does not follow any edges of the front panel, first side panel, back panel, or second side panel. 
     
     
         9 . The blank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the line of weakness includes at least one opening feature configured to facilitate initiation of breaking the line of weakness. 
     
     
         10 . The blank as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the line of weakness extends across an adhesive flap extending from the blank. 
     
     
         11 . A container comprising:
 a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior space, including a front panel connected to a first side panel, a back panel connected to the first side panel, and a second side panel connected to the back panel and to the front panel;   a pair of opposed back flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the back panel;   a pair of opposed bottom flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the first side panel;   a pair of opposed front flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the front panel; and   a pair of opposed top flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the second side panel,   wherein a first one of the back flaps, a first one of the first side flaps, a first one of the front flaps, and a first one of the second side flaps overlap to form a top panel,   wherein a second one of the back flaps, a second one of the first side flaps, a second one of the front flaps, and a second one of the second side flaps overlap to form a bottom panel, and   wherein a line of weakness is defined across the back panel, the first side panel, the front panel, and the second side panel, wherein the line of weakness is configured to allow separation of a top portion of the container from a bottom portion of the container, and wherein the line of weakness is configured so the top portion and bottom portion are the same size and shape so a blank from which the container is erected can be erected on a right-handed erector machine or a left-handed erector machine without changing appearance of the container after converting.   
     
     
         12 . The container as recited in  claim 10 , wherein a front panel portion of the line of weakness has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with a back panel portion of the line of weakness. 
     
     
         13 . The container as recited in  claim 10 , wherein a first side panel portion of the line of weakness has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with a second panel side portion of the line of weakness. 
     
     
         14 . The container as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the front panel, including its portion of the line of weakness, has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with the back panel. 
     
     
         15 . The container as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first side panel, including its portion of the line of weakness, has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with the back panel. 
     
     
         16 . The container as recited in  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the line of weakness follows at least a portion of an edge of at least one of the panels. 
     
     
         17 . The container as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the line of weakness follows a central portion of an edge of the front panel, and a central portion of an edge of the back panel. 
     
     
         18 . The container as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the line of weakness does not follow any edges of the front panel, first side panel, back panel, or second side panel. 
     
     
         19 . The container as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the line of weakness includes at least one opening feature configured to facilitate initiation of breaking the line of weakness. 
     
     
         20 . The container as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the line of weakness extends across an adhesive flap extending from the blank.