Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, products are contained within a continuous cylindrical sleeve in a low- or no-tension condition. Products are captured within the sleeve during its formation. The sleeve forms a continuous path encircling the product(s) in at least one plane through the products and package, defining an axial direction normal to the plane and a circumferential direction around the product(s) within the plane. One or more axially-extending pleats are unitarily formed from the material comprising the cylindrical wall of the sleeve, such that the circumference of the cylindrical sleeve is reduced. By reducing the circumference of the cylinder the interior volume of the sleeve, and thus the finished package, is reduced, thus subjecting the products within the package to a compressive force. The compressive force is imparted by a uniform reduction in circumference resulting in a uniform inwardly-directed product compression.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shipping/display container which includes a tray portion having a bottom panel, two opposed end panels, and two opposed side panels One of the side panels comprises a float side panel and the other of the side panels comprises a rear side panel. The container further includes a cover portion attached to the container and disposed so as to engage the end panels and the side panels. More particularly, the front side panel includes a line of weakness defining a severable portion of the front side panel which extends in at least an intermediate portion downward to the lowermost edge of the front side panel. The severable portion includes a preformed aperture located adjacent to the lowermost edge of the front panel for initiating removable of the severable portion.