BOX/CARTON FOR SHIPPING FILTER CARTRIDGES

Abstract

A shipping and display carton is provided that may be used for panel filters. The carton preferably has two display positions including horizontally flat and vertically upright positions to provide a retailer with display options. The box has several features such as releasable interlocked retainer flaps to retain filters in one display position, perforated removal portions including a removable card carrying a cover lid, a single glue seam with interlocking bottom panels so as to provide break down without a cut knife, and other features.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to shipping and display cartons and/or cardboard blanks for forming a shipping and display carton; the shipping and display carton may be used with panel filters whereby one of the aspects of the invention relate to panel filters in combination with the shipping and display carton.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Almost every home has a panel filter which is installed in a forced air system such as the furnace and/or air conditioning unit (the HVAC system) of one's house, condominium or apartment. Panel filters are also used in the HVAC systems of other commercial buildings. Over time, the panel filters load with dust as these filters purify and clean the air that is being circulated throughout the building. As a result, these panel filters need to be changed from time to time so as to provide a clean filter and not overly restrict the air flow being circulated through the building.

As a result, a number of retailers carry large volumes of such panel filters for retail sale. Furthermore, as there are many different sizes and types of furnaces, air conditioning units or other HVAC systems, retailers need to stock a wide variety of different sizes of panel filters to meet all of the different needs of different customers.

To display such panel filters, it is known to use shipping and display cartons wherein a stack of panel filters can be shipped in a cardboard box and then the box can be partially opened to display the panel filters right on the retail shelf. While previous shipping and display cartons have provided a certain level of functionality, they present various difficulties and/or drawbacks which will be realized once the embodiment of the present invention is understood. As such, the present invention is directed towards improvements over the present state of the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one inventive aspect, the invention provides a filter packed shipping and display carton combination. The combination includes a stack of panel filters that have a rectangular frame enclosing filter media therein. A box contains the stack of panel filters. The box includes opposed top and bottom sides, left and right sides and back and front sides. One of the sides including a pair of cooperating first and second retainer flaps hinged to and depending from the two other of the sides, the first and second retainer flaps being locked together to retain the panel filters in a first display position through a first display opening in said one of the sides.

In another inventive aspect, a filter packed shipping and display carton combination comprises a stack of panel filters having a rectangular frame enclosing filter media therein. A box contains the stack of panel filters, the box including opposed top and bottom sides, left and right sides and back and front sides. The box has a first display position, with panel filters being viewable through a first viewing opening in a first selected one of said sides; and a second display position in which the box is rotated relative to the first display position (e.g. may be 90 degrees). In the second display opening the panel filters are viewable through a second viewing opening in a second selected one of said sides different than the first selected one of said sides. Marketing indicia is provided on each of the first and second selected one of said sides so that from either display position the marketing information can be gathered by the consumer. The box is made of corrugated cardboard with two of the sides being connected by an adhesive seam, with the bottom side comprising at least three interlocking bottom flaps connected to at least three of the left, front, right and back sides. The interlocking bottom flaps interlock with each other without adhesive attachment to releasable secure the box together in an assembled state. Further, the box can be broken down manually to a flat state by unlocking the four interlocking bottom flaps and bending the box along four corners (e.g. provided by fold lines) connecting the left, front, right and back sides, without tools and without having to tear the box or overcome adhesive force. Thus, not only is a practical shipping and display carton provided for shipping panel filters and multiple display viewing purposes, but also one which is stable and can be broken down in a manner that minimizes retail worker input.

Another invention aspect is directed toward a unitary cut cardboard blank for forming a shipping and display carton, comprising: a front side panel; a left side panel hinged via a fold line to the front side panel; a right side panel hinged via a fold line to the front side panel; and a back side panel hinged via a fold line to one of the left and right side panels. One of the right and left and back side panels include a gluing seam flap adapted to overlap and to be permanently secured to one of the other panels by an adhesive seam, Four interlocking bottom flaps are provided that are hinged via respective fold lines to the front side panel, the left side panel, the right side panel and the back side panel, respectively. The interlocking bottom flaps are adapted to interlock with each other without adhesive attachment to releasable secure the box together in an assembled state. First and second retainer flaps are hinged to and depend from the left and right side panels, respectively. The first and second retainer flaps include respective slots that are adapted to be received into each other to releasably interlock the first and second retainer flaps together in an assembled state. A lid panel is also provided that is hinged via a fold line to one front and back panels adapted to cover the first and second retainer flaps. Further, a removable card portion is formed in one of said panels via a perforated tear juncture.

In yet another inventive aspect according to one example of a detailed embodiment, the invention provide a filter packed shipping and display carton combination, comprising:

a stack of panel filters, the panel filters having a rectangular frame enclosing filter media therein;

a box containing the stack of panel filters, the box including opposed top and bottom sides, left and right sides and back and front sides,

the top side including a pair of cooperating first and second retainer flaps hinged to and depending from the left and right sides, the first and second retainer flaps being locked together to retain the panel filters in a first display position through a first display opening in the top side;

wherein the in the first display position, the box displays the stack of panel filters with the panel filters vertically stacked one on top of another to display one of the spine edges of the rectangular frame for the panel filters;

wherein the at least one last filter viewing window is defined between the retainer flaps and the back side;

wherein the at least one last filter viewing window comprises at least one cut out along a lateral edge of the retainer flaps, the lateral edge running along the back side and in close proximity thereto to prevent one of the panel filters from sliding out from under the retainer flaps when in the first display position;

wherein the retainer flaps are spaced from the front side at least two panel filter thick to provide a sufficiently large and open aperture in first display opening such that panel filters can be slide horizontally out through the first display opening;

wherein the first and second retainer flaps each define respective slots, the respective slots of the first and second retainer flaps being received into each other thereby releasably interlocking the first and second flaps together;

wherein the retainer flaps are releasably interlocked without any adhesive;

a lid panel for the top side, the lid panel hinged to the front side and covering the first and second retainer flaps;

wherein the lid panel includes a lid body and a tuck tab, the lid body interposed between the tuck tab and the front side, the tuck tab hinged to the lid body and in a shipping position being tucked between the stack of panel filters and the back side;

a strip of tape attached to the lid body and adhesively securing the lid panel to the back side, the strip of tape having pull tab;

a perforated tear line connecting the lid panel to the front side, wherein the lid panel is adapted to be torn off along the perforated tear line to expose and provide for removal of panel filters through the first display opening, and wherein the lid panel is also adapted be reverse folded back over the front display panel to expose and provide for removal of panel filters through the first display opening;

wherein said front side comprises a front panel including border portion at least partially lining and connected via fold lines to the left, right and bottom sides, and removable card connected to the border portion along a perforated tear junction, the removable card being tearable and removable along the perforated tear junction to provide a second display opening that intersects the first display opening at a corner between the front and top sides;

wherein the second display opening provides for a second display position, the bottom side being at the gravitational bottom in the second display position, and wherein the back side being at the gravitational position in the first display position, the box being rotated 90 degrees between first and second display positions;

wherein the removable card carries the lid panel therewith, the lid panel supported by the removable card in a cantilever manner such that removal of the removable card removes the lid panel therewith;

perforated punch out tabs along the perforated tear junction; and

wherein the box is made of corrugated cardboard, one of the left and right panels having a gluing seam flap overlapping and permanently secured to the back side by an adhesive seam, and wherein the bottom side comprises four interlocking bottom flaps connected to the left, front, right and back sides, respectively, the interlocking bottom flaps interlocking with each other without adhesive attachment to releasable secure the box together in an assembled state, and wherein the box can be broken down manually to a flat state by unlocking the four interlocking bottom flaps and bending the box along four corners connecting the left, front, right and back sides, without tools and without having to tear the box or overcome adhesive force.

Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a filter packed shipping and display carton combination shown in a horizontally flat display position;

FIG. 2 is another view of the same filter packed shipping and display carton as shown in FIG. 1, but shown in a second vertically upright display position exposing a different surface for frontal view;

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view showing the removable component part of the shipping and display carton;

FIG. 4 is a bottom side view of the box which provides for the shipping and display carton;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are additional isometric views of the shipping and display carton as viewed from opposite sides;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a unitary cut cardboard blank according to an embodiment of the present invention for forming the shipping and display carton of the previous figures; and

FIG. 8 is a similar plan view to that of FIG. 7 except that some of the removable panels have been removed to facilitate assembly.

While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a filter packed shipping and display carton generally indicated at 10, both figures illustrated from a frontal view as would be displayed in a retail store on a shelf but shown in different display positions. The carton includes an assembled box 12 and a stack of panel filters 14 contained in the box 12.

In FIG. 1, the carton 10 is displayed in a horizontally flat position such that the edges or spines of the filter frames 16 of the panel filters 14 are illustrated. In contrast in FIG. 2, the carton 10 is illustrated in a vertically upright position so that one can view from the front the outline or boarder region of the filter frame 16 as well as the face of the panel filters 14 which includes filter media 18 that is boarded by the filter frame 16 (a marketing flyer sheet or other packaging may fully or partially enclose the panel filters); and it is noted that the filter media is shown as the pleated filter media. While both FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate different frontal views of the same carton but in different positions, and therefore the terms top, bottom, left, right, front and back sides may change depending upon a relative position (e.g. in some situations the top may be a front side or other arrangement), for purposes of orientation and to provide the detailed description herein (without necessarily limiting the claims), it is understood that the relative orientation and positions will be described with reference to the vertical orientation listed for FIG. 2.

Therefore, to provide orientation purposes for FIG. 2 it is noted generally that the box has a plurality of sides including: a top side 20, a bottom side 21, a left side 22, a right side 23, a back side 24, and a front side 25 (for additional reference relative to the various sides, additional attention can be had to FIGS. 4-6). However as noted above, when the position changes for the box such as in FIG. 1 from FIG. 2, the top side 20 actually becomes a front side when in the frontal view shown for display purposes. Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, at least two different display positions are possible, that gives a retailer options in how he wants to present panel filter merchandise to end-use customers. As also evident, the box 12 not only contains the panel filters 14 but also displays the panel filters such that the combination of the box and the panel filters are normally contained on the retail shelf itself.

As may be evidence from FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of the box has been removed, such as may be provided by a perforated tear feature in the overall box structure. Specifically, and referring to FIG. 3 it is seen that a lid panel 28 and/or a removable card 30 can be removed from the overall box 12 along the top side 20 and front side 25. This facilitates both of the display positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The lid panel 28 and the removable card 30 are connected by a perforated tear line 32 such that the lid panel 28 may be separately removed from the removable card with the removable card remaining with the remainder of the box. Thus, in the horizontally flat display position shown in FIG. 1, the removable card 30 may be removed from the box. Alternatively, in the display position shown in FIG. 1, the lid panel may be folded back upon the removable card 30 while still exposing the display opening.

As shown, the removable card 30 carries the lid panel via the perforated tear line of the removable card by way of a perforated tear junction 34 connecting the removable card to a remainder border portion 36 along the front side. As also illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the lid panel 28 includes a lid body that covers the top end with a tuck tab 40 connected to the lid body by way of a hinge 42 such that the tuck tab may overlap the back side or otherwise be tucked beneath the back side. A strip of adhesive tape 44 may be used to removably secures the lid panel 28 to the remainder of the box, with the adhesive tape provided with a non-adhesive portion such as lift tab 46 to facilitate manually releasing the adhesive tape from the back side to facilitate opening and/or removal of the lid panel.

Once the lid panel 28 is removed, it is seen that underneath there is provided a pair of cooperating retainer flaps 48 that are releasably locked together to retain the panel filters along the top side. The retainer flaps 48 only partially cover the stack of filter panels and there is a display opening 50 provided above the retainer flaps 48 over the top of the retainer flaps when viewed from the front in the horizontally flat position. The retainer flaps 48 are spaced from the front side at least two panel filters thick to provide a sufficiently large and open aperture in the display opening 50 such that the panel filters can slide horizontally out through this display opening 50. Additionally, it is seen that at least one and preferably two last filter viewing windows 52 are defined between the retainer flaps 48 and the back side 24. For example, each viewing window 52 may be provided by at least one cut-out along the lateral edge of the retainer flaps 48 (preferably—the lateral edge runs along the back side and in close proximity thereto which prevents the panel filters from sliding out from under the retainer flaps when in the horizontally flat position shown in FIG. 1).

An additional feature that may be provided is that the retainer flaps 48 may each include respective slots 54 (one extending upward and the other extending downward in the horizontally flat position shown in FIG. 1), that are received into each other to thereby releasably interlock the first and second flaps together without the need for adhesive or glue. This facilitates more easy assembly and breakdown in that a cutting knife may not be necessitated according to certain preferred embodiments such as that disclosed in the drawings. Also, it should be pointed out while the retainer flaps 48 are interlocked over each other as shown in FIG. 2, they can also be tucked under each other, thereby hiding the terminal portion after the slots 54 under the other flap 48.

To facilitate removal of the removable card 30, perforated punch-out tabs 56 may be provided along the front side 25 to facilitate manually grasping and tearing the removable card 30 away from the remainder of the front side 25 of the box.

All of these different perforation features and limited use of permanent adhesive provides for a box that can be made of corrugated cardboard as illustrated, and in which there is only a single strip of adhesive that permanently glues two portions of the box together. For example, and as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the box 12 can be constructed from a unitary cut cardboard blank, with only one gluing seam necessary along one line only to provide for a solid and sufficient shipping and display box that serves both purposes of shipping panel filters (with stackability capabilities without blowing out the box due to weight of filter packed boxes stacked on top) as well as displaying panel filters. This is both environmentally friendly but moreover and as will be discussed, provides for ready breakdown of the box without the need for cutting knives as the entire box may be disassembled by hand, providing substantial benefits and features to the retailer. For example, a unitary cardboard blank for forming the shipping and display carton may include a front side panel 60 for the front side; a left side panel 62 hinged via a fold line 64 to the front side panel; a right side panel 66 hinged via a fold line 68 to the front side panel 60; a back side panel 70 hinged via a fold line 72 to one of the left or right side panels 62, 66. It is then noted that one of the right and left and back side panels include a gluing seam flap (that is hinged to a remainder of that panel) that is adapted to overlap and be permanently secured to one of the other panels by an adhesive seam (e.g. a generally linear lay down of adhesive along the gluing seam flap 74).

Additionally, the bottom is constructed (such as shown in FIG. 4) such that it may not necessitate the need for adhesive and can be releasably secured together to facilitate breakdown. For example, the bottom side 21 may include at least three and preferably four interlocking bottom flaps 76, 77, 78, 79 that are hinged via respective fold lines 80-83 to the respective front, left, right and back side panels. The interlocking bottom flaps are adapted to interlock with each other without adhesive attachment to releasably secure the box together in an assembled state. The retainer flaps 48 are hinged to and depend from the left and right side panels 62, 66 via respective fold lines 86. The lid panel 28 is connected to the front side panel 60 via the perforated tear line 32 (note that dash lines indicate perforations in FIGS. 7 and 8). Additionally, the removable card 30 is formed into the front side panel 60 via the perforated tear juncture 34 surrounded by the border portion 36 of the front panel.

Additionally, in FIG. 7 there is illustrated a couple of additional waste panels that may be formed during the die cutting of the cardboard blank for the box but that are removed prior to assembly of the box including waste portions indicated at 88, that can be removed by their own perforated tear lines (not numbered).

With this construction, only a single glue seam connecting to adjacent panels is necessitated which allows the box to be broken flat by folding the front, left, right and back side panels (after unlocking the bottom flaps 76-79) by folding along the respective fold lines thereof. Thus, this can be done without the need for a cut knife.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. A filter packed shipping and display carton combination, comprising:

a stack of panel filters, the panel filters having a rectangular frame enclosing filter media therein;

a box containing the stack of panel filters, the box including opposed top and bottom sides, left and right sides and back and front sides,

one of the sides including a pair of cooperating first and second retainer flaps hinged to and depending from the two other of the sides, the first and second retainer flaps being locked together to retain the panel filters in a first display position through a first display opening in said one of the sides.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the in the first display position, the box displays the stack of panel filters with the panel filters vertically stacked one on top of another to display one of the spine edges of the rectangular frame for the panel filters.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the at least one last filter viewing window is defined between the retainer flaps and the back side.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the at least one last filter viewing window comprises at least one cut out along a lateral edge of the retainer flaps, the lateral edge running along the back side and in close proximity thereto to prevent one of the panel filters from sliding out from under the retainer flaps when in the first display position.

5. The combination of claim 2, wherein the retainer flaps are spaced from the front side at least two panel filter thick to provide a sufficiently large and open aperture in first display opening such that panel filters can be slide horizontally out through the first display opening.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first and second retainer flaps each define respective slots, the respective slots of the first and second retainer flaps being received into each other thereby releasably interlocking the first and second flaps together.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the retainer flaps are releasably interlocked without any adhesive.

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the top side includes the pair of cooperating first and second retainer flaps hinged to and depending from the left and right sides, further comprising a lid panel for the top side, the lid panel hinged to the front side and covering the first and second retainer flaps.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the lid panel includes a lid body and a tuck tab, the lid body interposed between the tuck tab and the front side, the tuck tab hinged to the lid body and in a shipping position being tucked between the stack of panel filters and the back side.

10. The combination of claim 9, further comprising a strip of tape attached to the lid body and adhesively securing the lid panel to the back side, the strip of tape having pull tab.

11. The combination of claim 9, further comprising a perforated tear line connecting the lid panel to the front side, wherein the lid panel is adapted to be torn off along the perforated tear line to expose and provide for removal of panel filters through the first display opening, and wherein the lid panel is also adapted be reverse folded back over the front display panel to expose and provide for removal of panel filters through the first display opening.

12. The combination of claim 9, wherein said front side comprises a front panel including border portion at least partially lining and connected via fold lines to the left, right and bottom sides, and removable card connected to the border portion along a perforated tear junction, the removable card being tearable and removable along the perforated tear junction to provide a second display opening that intersects the first display opening at a corner between the front and top sides.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein the second display opening provides for a second display position, the bottom side being at the gravitational bottom in the second display position, and wherein the back side being at the gravitational position in the first display position, the box being rotated 90 degrees between first and second display positions.

14. The combination of claim 12, wherein the removable card carries the lid panel therewith, the lid panel supported by the removable card in a cantilever manner such that removal of the removable card removes the lid panel therewith.

15. The combination of claim 14, further comprising perforated punch out tabs along the perforated tear junction.

16. The combination of claim 1, wherein the box is made of corrugated cardboard, one of the left and right panels having a gluing seam flap overlapping and permanently secured to the back side by an adhesive seam, and wherein the bottom side comprises four interlocking bottom flaps connected to the left, front, right and back sides, respectively, the interlocking bottom flaps interlocking with each other without adhesive attachment to releasable secure the box together in an assembled state, and wherein the box can be broken down manually to a flat state by unlocking the four interlocking bottom flaps and bending the box along four corners connecting the left, front, right and back sides, without tools and without having to tear the box or overcome adhesive force.

17. A filter packed shipping and display carton combination, comprising:

a stack of panel filters, the panel filters having a rectangular frame enclosing filter media therein;

a box containing the stack of panel filters, the box including opposed top and bottom sides, left and right sides and back and front sides,

the top side including a pair of cooperating first and second retainer flaps hinged to and depending from the left and right sides, the first and second retainer flaps being locked together to retain the panel filters in a first display position through a first display opening in the top side;

wherein the in the first display position, the box displays the stack of panel filters with the panel filters vertically stacked one on top of another to display one of the spine edges of the rectangular frame for the panel filters;

wherein the at least one last filter viewing window is defined between the retainer flaps and the back side;

wherein the at least one last filter viewing window comprises at least one cut out along a lateral edge of the retainer flaps, the lateral edge running along the back side and in close proximity thereto to prevent one of the panel filters from sliding out from under the retainer flaps when in the first display position;

wherein the retainer flaps are spaced from the front side at least two panel filter thick to provide a sufficiently large and open aperture in first display opening such that panel filters can be slide horizontally out through the first display opening;

wherein the first and second retainer flaps are adopted to releasably interlock together;

wherein the retainer flaps are releasably interlocked without any adhesive;

a lid panel for the top side, the lid panel hinged to the front side and covering the first and second retainer flaps;

wherein the lid panel includes a lid body and a tuck tab, the lid body interposed between the tuck tab and the front side, the tuck tab hinged to the lid body and in a shipping position being tucked between the stack of panel filters and the back side;

a strip of tape attached to the lid body and adhesively securing the lid panel to the back side, the strip of tape having pull tab;

a perforated tear line connecting the lid panel to the front side, wherein the lid panel is adapted to be torn off along the perforated tear line to expose and provide for removal of panel filters through the first display opening, and wherein the lid panel is also adapted be reverse folded back over the front display panel to expose and provide for removal of panel filters through the first display opening;

wherein said front side comprises a front panel including border portion at least partially lining and connected via fold lines to the left, right and bottom sides, and removable card connected to the border portion along a perforated tear junction, the removable card being tearable and removable along the perforated tear junction to provide a second display opening that intersects the first display opening at a corner between the front and top sides;

wherein the second display opening provides for a second display position, the bottom side being at the gravitational bottom in the second display position, and wherein the back side being at the gravitational position in the first display position, the box being rotated 90 degrees between first and second display positions;

wherein the removable card carries the lid panel therewith, the lid panel supported by the removable card in a cantilever manner such that removal of the removable card removes the lid panel therewith;

perforated punch out tabs along the perforated tear junction; and

wherein the box is made of corrugated cardboard, one of the left and right panels having a gluing seam flap overlapping and permanently secured to the back side by an adhesive seam, and wherein the bottom side comprises four interlocking bottom flaps connected to the left, front, right and back sides, respectively, the interlocking bottom flaps interlocking with each other without adhesive attachment to releasable secure the box together in an assembled state, and wherein the box can be broken down manually to a flat state by unlocking the four interlocking bottom flaps and bending the box along four corners connecting the left, front, right and back sides, without tools and without having to tear the box or overcome adhesive force.

18. A filter packed shipping and display carton combination, comprising:

a stack of panel filters, the panel filters having a rectangular frame enclosing filter media therein;

a box containing the stack of panel filters, the box including opposed top and bottom sides, left and right sides and back and front sides;

the box having a first display position, with panel filters being viewable through a first viewing opening in a first selected one of said sides,

the box having a second display position in which the box is rotated relative to the first display position, with panel filters being viewable through a second viewing opening in second selected one of said sides different than the first selected one of said sides;

marketing indicia being provided on each of the first and second selected one of said sides; and

wherein the box is made of corrugated cardboard with two of the sides being connected by an adhesive seam, wherein the bottom side comprises at least three interlocking bottom flaps connected to at least three of the left, front, right and back sides, the interlocking bottom flaps interlocking with each other without adhesive attachment to releasable secure the box together in an assembled state, and wherein the box can be broken down manually to a flat state by unlocking the four interlocking bottom flaps and bending the box along four corners connecting the left, front, right and back sides, without tools and without having to tear the box or overcome adhesive force.

19. The combination of claim 18, wherein the box is constructed from a unitary cut cardboard blank, comprising:

a front side panel;

a left side panel hinged via a fold line to the front side panel;

a right side panel hinged via a fold line to the front side panel;

a back side panel hinged via a fold line to one of the left and right side panels;

one of the right and left side panels including a gluing seam flap adapted to overlap and to be permanently secured to the back side panel by an adhesive seam,

the at least three interlocking flaps comprising four interlocking bottom flaps being hinged via respective fold lines to the front side panel, the left side panel, the right side panel and the back side panel, respectively;

first and second retainer flaps hinged to and depending from the left and right side panels, respectively, the first and second retainer flaps are adapted to releasably interlock together in an assembled state; and

a lid panel hinged via a fold line to one front and back panels adapted to cover the first and second retainer flaps; and

a removable card portion formed in one of said panels via a perforated tear juncture.

20. The combination of claim 19, wherein the lid panel includes a body portion and a tuck tab hinged to the body portion along a fold line, and wherein the lid panel is carried by the removable card portion in a cantilever manner wherein removal of the removable card portion by tearing along the perforated tear juncture removes the lid panel therewith.

21. A unitary cut cardboard blank for forming a shipping and display carton, comprising:

a front side panel;

a left side panel hinged via a fold line to the front side panel;

a right side panel hinged via a fold line to the front side panel;

a back side panel hinged via a fold line to one of the left and right side panels;

one of the right and left and back side panels including a gluing seam flap adapted to overlap and to be permanently secured to one of the other panels by an adhesive seam,

four interlocking bottom flaps being hinged via respective fold lines to the front side panel, the left side panel, the right side panel and the back side panel, respectively, the interlocking bottom flaps adapted to interlock with each other without adhesive attachment to releasable secure the box together in an assembled state;

first and second retainer flaps hinged to and depending from the left and right side panels, respectively, the first and second retainer flaps adopted to releasably interlock together in an assembled state; and

a lid panel hinged via a fold line to one front and back panels adapted to cover the first and second retainer flaps; and

a removable card portion formed in one of said panels via a perforated tear juncture.

22. The blank of claim 21, wherein the lid panel includes a body portion and a tuck tab hinged to the body portion along a fold line, and wherein the lid panel is carried by the removable card portion in a cantilever manner wherein removal of the removable card portion by tearing along the perforated tear juncture removes the lid panel therewith.