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.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/509,950, filed May 23, 2017, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a container for storing contents therein, such as a container having a handle suitable for carrying the container and contents, or a blank or article for forming the container.

BACKGROUND

It is often desirable to contain or store products or contents in a container or package that will consolidate those products in one place and protect or prolong the life of the product. In such situations, it is often desirable to include a lid that may be easily opened and/or closed to selectively allow access to the products in the package or container and/or dispense those products from the container.

However, it is often also desirable to carry the container, for example via a handle. Inclusion of a handle and mechanism for dispensing contents from the container can be difficult. Moreover, it has proven difficult to include a handle that is provided with the container that is suitable for carrying the load of the container and/or contents stored therein in a comfortable way.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may address one or more of the aforementioned problems. Certain embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a container or box or method for forming a container or box, a blank for forming a container or box, and/or a top panel of a container or box configured to dispense products, contents, and/or articles stored within the container while also providing a handle suitable for carrying the container or box and/or contents stored therein.

In one aspect, for instance, some embodiments may provide a multi-panel blank or article of commerce for forming a container that includes a top panel coupled to a first side panel and a coupling panel coupled to a second side panel. The first side panel and the second side panel may be configured so that they may be 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. The top panel may be configured so that it may be 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. The coupling panel may extend partially across the top opening when in the second closed position. The top panel may extend at least partially across the top opening when in the second closed position and at least partially overlaps the coupling panel and a first break forming a portion of a perimeter of a handle panel. A separate portion of the perimeter of the handle panel may be a first hinge about which the handle panel may be moved toward the storage region, and wherein the handle panel may be located on the top panel relative to the coupling panel so that it may be folded underneath the coupling panel to form a multi-layer reinforced handle or grip section. A second break may form a portion of a perimeter of a dispensing panel, with the second break at least partially surrounding the first break and being configured to be moved to form a dispensing area through which articles may be removed from the storage region.

The coupling panel may extend across the top opening less than about 50% in a length direction extending from the first side panel toward the second side panel. The coupling panel may extend across the top opening less than about 25% in the length direction. The coupling panel may extend across the top opening less than about 10% in the length direction. The multi-panel blank may include at least six panels. The six panels may include the top panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, the dispensing panel, the handle panel, and a bottom panel. The multi-panel blank may include at least one side flap extending from a side edge of the top panel, first side panel, and/or second side panel. The coupling panel may include an attachment area configured to attach to an underside of the top panel. This attachment area may include an adhesive. The top panel, first side panel, and/or second side panel may be substantially formed of corrugated cardboard and/or chipboard. The first break may extend away from the hinge and/or toward the dispensing panel. The handle panel may have a length of about one to six, or about 4 inches, and/or a width of about 0.5 to about 6 inches, or about 1 inch. The hinge of the handle panel may be about 0.25 to about 6 inches, or about 1.25 inches, from a front or fourth edge of the top panel. The dispensing panel may have a length of about 6 to about 7 inches. The hinge may be located off-center of the top panel toward a front or fourth edge of the top panel. A third break or extension may be included that extends away from the hinge toward at least one of the first break and second break line.

In another aspect, some embodiments may provide a multi-panel container that includes a top panel coupled to a first side panel and a coupling panel coupled to a second side panel. The first side panel and the second side panel may be 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. The top panel may be 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. The coupling panel may extend at least partially across the top opening. The top panel may extend 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 may exist, with a separate portion of the perimeter of the handle panel that may be a first hinge about which the handle panel may be moved toward the storage region. The handle panel may be located on the top panel relative to the coupling panel so that it may be folded underneath the coupling panel to form a multi-layer reinforced grip or handle section. A second break may exist 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.

In yet another aspect, some embodiments may provide a lid for a container that includes a top panel and a coupling panel. The top panel may include a dispensing panel and a hinge panel. The dispensing panel may at least partially surround the hinge panel. The hinge panel may have a hinge about which the hinge is rotatable between a closed position and an open position. The hinge may be offset from a center of the top panel toward the coupling panel. The coupling panel may be configured to extend less than halfway across an underside of the top panel and couple to the underside of the top panel. The top panel, coupling panel, and hinge panel may be configured to form a multi-layer reinforced handle or carrying portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of an embodiment of a container;

FIG. 2 shows the container of FIG. 1 with an embodiment of a dispensing panel substantially unattached from the remainder of the container revealing an opening through which contents or product stored inside the container may be removed from the container;

FIG. 3 shows the container and substantially unattached dispensing panel of FIG. 2 with an embodiment of a handle being engaged and biased or actuated toward an interior product storage region of the container by a human hand;

FIG. 4 shows the container of FIG. 3 with the handle further engaged by the hand so that the handle extends farther into the interior product storage region of the container;

FIG. 5 shows the container of FIG. 4, with an opening through which stored product may be removed from the container;

FIG. 6 shows the container of FIG. 5 with product partially removed therefrom;

FIG. 7 shows the container of FIG. 6 with a user's hand engaging the handle, which may be so engaged, for example, to facilitate toting or carrying the container;

FIG. 8 shows another top perspective view of the container of FIG. 6 from another side with the container and handle being engaged by a hand;

FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of a blank that may be used to form a container, for example, by folding and attaching various panels of the blank;

FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a blank that may be used to form a container, for example, by folding and attaching various panels of the blank;

FIG. 11 illustrates a plan view of yet another an embodiment of a blank that may be used to form a container, for example, by folding and attaching various panels of the blank;

FIG. 12 illustrates an enlarged view of an embodiment of a top panel of a container;

FIG. 13 illustrates a sectional view of a top portion of an embodiment of a container in a closed configuration;

FIG. 14 illustrates the top portion of the container of FIG. 13 in a partially open configuration with the handle folded under the coupling panel; and

FIG. 15 illustrates the top portion of the container of FIG. 13 in an open or dispensing configuration with a dispensing panel removed.

It is understood that the dimensions or relative dimensions, including, but not limited to, distances, angles, and relative sizes depicted in the various figures are exemplary, and the embodiments illustrated, or other embodiments, could have varying dimensions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments now will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments are shown. Indeed, embodiments may take many different forms and the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The terms “substantial” or “substantially” may encompass the whole amount as specified, according to certain embodiments, or largely but not the whole amount specified according to other embodiments.

Some embodiments of a product storage container or the like, such as a box or container 10 shown in FIG. 1, for example, may be configured to form or include a product storage region therein that may be used to store, retain, tote, and/or carry one or more articles, items, and/or contents. In some embodiments, container 10 may include multiple panels, which may include, for example, one or more panels such as top panel 11, first panel 14, bottom panel 17, and/or second panel 20. Any or all of panels 11, 14, 17, 20, and/or additional panels, may form an outer shell or perimeter of container 10. The product storage region of container 10 may lie substantially within the shell or perimeter formed by the panels. The product storage region of container 10 may be configured to hold one or more products, items, and/or articles such as article 5, as shown in FIG. 2. Exemplary products or articles 5 that may be stored or retained within container 10 include a film sheet in roll form and/or one or more sheets that are interleafed and/or interconnected, such as the type that might be used to form one or more garbage bags or storage bags or the like. It is understood that garbage bags and storage bags are merely examples of article 5 and virtually any article, item, or product may be stored or retained in container 10, whether solid, semi-solid, granular, pourable, liquid, fluid, gas, or any other form or any combination thereof.

Container 10 may include top panel 11, which in turn may include one or more features such as handle 40 and/or dispensing panel 30, each shown in an exemplary closed position in FIG. 1 in which they are substantially attached to and/or coplanar or continuous with top panel 11. Top panel 11 may cover a top opening in container 10, with the top opening formed between the opposing pairs of side panels of container 10. If included, dispensing panel 30 may be at least partially separable from the rest of top panel 11. Dispensing panel 30 may be cut, torn, punched out, and/or otherwise separated, at least partially, from the rest of top panel 11. In some embodiments, a mechanism for facilitating separation and/or removal of dispensing panel 30 from the rest of top panel 11 may be included, such as, for example, a dispensing break 35 forming at least a portion of the perimeter of dispensing panel 30. If included, dispensing break 35 may be perforated or scored, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. Although shown in FIG. 1 and various other figures as substantially completely surrounded by dispensing break 35, it is understood that dispensing break 35 may form less than the entire perimeter of dispensing panel 30 and/or container 10 and/or top panel 11 may be formed without dispensing break 35. Dispensing panel 30 and/or dispensing break 35 may be formed to make dispensing panel partially removable or substantially entirely removable from the rest of top panel 11 and/or container 10. Removal of dispensing panel 30 and/or handle 40 from top panel 11 and/or container 10 may allow access to the interior product storage region for any of a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, inserting and/or removing articles 5 into and/or from container 10.

Top panel 11 and/or container 10 may include handle 40, and if included, handle 40 may be included instead of or in addition to dispensing panel 30. Handle 40 may be at least partially surrounded by and/or the perimeter of handle 40 may be at least partially defined by handle break 45. Handle break 45, if included, may be used to facilitate separation and/or removal of at least a portion of handle 40 from the rest of top panel 11 and/or dispensing panel 30. If included, handle break 45 may be perforated or scored, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. Handle break 45 may form less than the entire perimeter of handle 40 with a substantial portion of the perimeter and/or outer boundary of handle 40 being formed without handle break 45 and/or with another type of side, edge, and/or boundary instead. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 and various other figures, handle 40 may include a side that is bounded by or proximate to a hinge 47 about which handle 40 may be rotated when the handle 45 is separated from dispensing panel 30 and/or top panel 11 at handle break 45. If included, hinge 47 may facilitate rotation of handle 40 either upwardly away from the interior product storage region, inwardly toward or into the interior product storage region, or both. For example, hinge 47 may be creased, scored, thinned, weakened, and/or perforated to facilitated bending at that area relative to proximate areas of handle 40, top panel 11, and/or container 10. It is understood that hinge 47 may be substantially similar to proximate areas of handle 40, top panel 11, and/or container 10 and/or handle 40 may rotate about hinge 47 by virtue of the size, shape, and/or configuration of handle 40, handle break 45, and/or one or more extensions 47a.

In some embodiments, handle break 45 may be substantially a portion of dispensing break 35 so that handle break 45 and dispensing break 35 at least partially overlap, such as is shown in FIG. 1. It is understood that handle break 45 and dispensing break 35 may be partially, substantially, and/or entirely separate and/or not overlapping. One or more extensions 47a may be included, for example, to offset hinge 47 from dispensing break 35, or for any other reason or any combination thereof. For example, extensions 47a may extend from handle break 45 and/or dispensing break 35 toward an edge or side of top panel 11 such as fourth side 11d so that fourth side 11d is nearer hinge 47 than dispensing break 35 and/or hinge break 45.

As shown in FIG. 1, any or all of handle 40 and/or dispensing panel 30 may be substantially offset from the center of top panel 11 in at least one direction. In the exemplary embodiment shown, hinge 47 and handle 40 are offset toward fourth side 11d and away from third side 11c of top panel 11. In this exemplary embodiment, handle 40 and dispensing panel 30 are shown as substantially centered between first side 11a and second side 11b of top panel 11, although it is understood that handle 40 and/or dispensing panel 30 may be offset toward first side 11a or second side 11b. As discussed more below, in some embodiments, offsetting handle 40 toward fourth side 11d may facilitate use of handle 40 and/or increase the strength and/or carrying capacity of handle 40 in relation to products such as article 5 stored in container 10. It is understood that, while handle 40 is shown as substantially rectangular with two rounded corners and curved portions at or near extensions 47a, handle 40 may take any of a variety of forms or shapes such as, for example, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, round, half-circular or partially circular, circular, free form, or any other shape or any combination thereof. It is understood that, while dispensing panel 30 is shown as substantially polygonal with rounded corners, dispensing panel 30 may take any of a variety of forms or shapes such as, for example, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, round, half-circular or partially circular, circular, free form, or any other shape or any combination thereof.

FIG. 2 shows container 10 in an exemplary partially open position or configuration with dispensing panel 30 removed from top panel 11 and/or container 10 along dispensing break 35 to reveal product or articles 5 and/or provide an opening 32 in top panel 11 and/or container 10 through which articles 5 may pass. Dispensing panel 30 is shown as removed but placed on top panel 11 in FIG. 2. It is understood that dispensing panel 30 may be removed from top panel 11 and placed elsewhere, or dispensing panel 30 may be partially opened without completely separating it from the rest of top panel 11. The partially open position or configuration shown in FIG. 2 can be compared to the closed position or configuration of top panel 11 and/or container 10 shown in FIG. 1, with dispensing panel 30 and handle 40 each in a closed position still substantially attached to the rest of top panel 11 and/or container 10 in a continuous and/or substantially coplanar relationship with the rest of top panel 11. In some embodiments, in this partially open position or configuration, extensions 47a may be substantially intact and/or planar with handle 40 and/or top panel 11.

In an alternate or secondary partially open position or configuration, shown for example in FIG. 14, handle 40 may be separated at least partially from dispensing panel 30 and/or top panel 11 while dispensing panel 30 is otherwise substantially attached to top panel 11 and/or container 10. In this alternate or secondary partially open position or configuration, handle 40 may be rotated about hinge 47 to form a handle opening or second opening 42 previously covered by handle 40, for example, to allow a user to insert one or more fingers and/or lift container 10 or for any other reason. In one embodiment, dispensing panel 30 may remain in its closed position even after removal of handle 40 and thus not move until acted upon by a force, such as by hand. In such an exemplary use, a user may place his or her hand or fingers at least partially through the opening 42 previously covered by handle 40 and lift container 10 and its contents with handle 40 folded about hinge 47, while dispensing panel 30 is still substantially attached to top panel 11 to, for example, further secure the contents within container 10. Handle 40 and/or articles 5 may be configured so that articles 5 do not easily pass through second opening 42 covered by handle 40, with articles 5 instead passing through opening 32 created by removal of dispensing panel 30. It is understood that such a configuration of articles 5, handle 40, and/or dispensing panel 30 is optional and in other embodiments articles 5 may pass easily through opening 42 created by moving and/or removing handle 40 from top panel 11 and/or container 10, such as may be the case if articles 5 are pourable, granular, liquid, fluid, gas, or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, handle 40 may be moved and/or rotated inwardly toward articles 5 and/or into the product storage region of container 10, for example, by being pushed and/or moved in that direction by hand. FIG. 3 shows a user beginning to push on handle 40 by hand to begin rotation of handle 40 inwardly about hinge 47. In FIG. 4, the user has pushed handle 40 much of the way toward an open position of handle 40. FIGS. 5 and 6 show from varying viewpoints the handle in an open position after the user has released manual force. to In one embodiment, handle 40 may remain in its closed position even after removal of dispending panel 30 and thus not move until acted upon by a force, such as by hand. During such rotation and/or movement of handle 40, rotation and/or deformation of handle 40 may occur at or near hinge 47. Moreover, separation of handle 40 from top panel 11 and/or container 10 may occur at one or more extensions 47a, if extensions 47a are included. In some embodiments, hinge 47 and/or handle 40 may be somewhat resilient and/or have spring back or bias toward its closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. If so, a portion of handle 40 at or near handle break 45 may extend toward and/or touch or contact articles 5. Such contact, if present, may facilitate guiding of articles 5 into or out of container 10 and/or may provide friction to facilitate separation of articles 5. For example, articles 5 may be film and/or sheets and/or may be separated by perforations, scores, or the like, and contact of handle 40 against articles 5 may facilitate separation of one article 5 from a previous and/or subsequent article 5 to pass through one or more openings 32, 42 in top panel 11.

Handle 40 may be folded inwardly into container 10 such as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, for example, to facilitate carrying of container 10 and/or articles 5 stored therein. In exemplary embodiments, handle 40 may be configured for use with the fingers of the hand as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 while the thumb of the same hand may be used to engage another side or panel of container 10 such as, for example, a second panel 20. The thumb may be used for any of a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, to help carry and/or balance the weight of container 10, articles 5, and/or contents or features of container 10. To facilitate use or carrying of container 10, depending on the size of container 10 relative to an exemplary human hand, handle 40 may be located near fourth side 11d of top panel 11 and/or second panel 20, and/or offset from center of top panel 11 toward fourth side 11d and/or second panel 20. Container 10 may be provided with an indicia 28 for any of a variety of reasons, including to provide graphics, labels, data, information, etc.

In some exemplary embodiments, container 10 can be configured in a closed or partially closed or substantially three dimensional state having therein a product storage region may be formed from a substantially planar form such as blank 50 shown if FIGS. 9-10. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, blank 50 and/or any component thereof, may be formed with varying dimensions, for example, to form containers 10 of various sizes. Blank 50 may include any or all of top panel 11, first panel 14, bottom panel 17, second panel 20, a coupling panel 25, top panel first flap 12, top panel second flap 13, first panel first flap 15, first panel second flap 16, bottom panel first flap 18, bottom panel second flap 19, second panel first flap 21, and second panel second flap 22.

Blank 50 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 may have four panels and/or may be used to form substantially square or rectangular container 10 as is generally understood in the art. For example, first panel 14 may be folded or rotated at or near third side 11c of top panel 11 approximately 90 degrees. Continuing this example, bottom panel 17 may be folded or rotated at or near third side 14c of first panel 14 approximately 90 degrees, second panel 20 may be folded or rotated at or near third side 17c of bottom panel 17 approximately 90 degrees, and/or coupling panel 25 may be folded or rotated at or near third side 20c of second panel 14 approximately 90 degrees. Coupling panel 25 may be configured to facilitate coupling with at least a portion of top panel 11. For example, in the example above, coupling panel 25 may be position in at least partial overlap with top panel 11. Coupling panel 25 may partially overlap or partially extend in a length direction across the top opening from second panel 20 toward first panel 14. This length direction may be transverse or perpendicular to a width direction that extends from first panel first flap 15 toward first panel second flap 16 and/or from second panel first flap 21 toward second panel second flap 22.

Coupling panel 25 may include an attachment area 25a that may be used, for example, to couple to an underside or inside surface of top panel 11. Any of a variety of attachment mechanisms may be included with attachment area 25 and/or top panel 11 to couple and/or attach coupling panel 25 to top panel 11. For example, attachment area 25a may include adhesive, glue, bonding agent, a chemical coupling, a mechanical coupling, hook and loop style fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers, magnets, or the like or any other attachment or fastening mechanism, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, coupling panel 25a and/or top panel 11 may include chipboard and/or cardboard such as corrugated cardboard and/or attachment area 25a may include glue suitable for such corrugated cardboard and/or chipboard. Any or all of side flaps 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22 may be sized, shaped, and configured for any of a variety of reasons including forming container 10. In some exemplary embodiments, one or more areas may be included on one or more side flaps, such as areas 15a, 16a, 21a, and 22a, for any of a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, areas designated to be substantially free of ink and/or varnish.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a blank 50 for forming a container 10, having panels that are shaped and dimensioned with at least partial variation from those shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIGS. 9-11 show exemplary dimensions that illustrate how blank 50 and/or container 10 may be sized and shaped, with exemplary dimensions shown in inches. It is understood that the shapes, dimensions, and/or configurations shown may be varied and/or modified as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to form blank 50 and/or container 10.

An enlarged, partial view of blank 50 taken from FIG. 9 and focusing on top panel 11 is shown in FIG. 12, along with exemplary, non-limiting dimensions. In this example, top panel 11 is shown having a width W11 measured from first side 11a to second side 11b of about 10 9/16 inches and a length L11 measured from third side 11c to fourth side 11d of about 5 11/16 inches. First side flap 12 may have a width W12 of about 2⅞ inches and/or a length W12 approximately equal to and/or slightly less than W11, not quite extending to third side 11c, for example. Second side flap 13 may have a width W13 of about 2⅞ inches and/or a length W13 approximately equal to and/or slightly less than W11, not quite extending to third side 11c, for example. It is understood that any of the dimensions may be approximately equal to any other dimension or otherwise related to any other dimension for any of a variety of reasons, including but not limited to providing symmetry, but it is understood that any or all dimensions may be varied or modified or omitted without regard to any other dimension as is readily understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The dimensions and relationships therebetween provided herein are merely exemplary and/or illustrative. For example, FIGS. 10 and 11 show W12 and W13 as approximately 2¼ to ⅔-4 inches, respectively, and W11 as approximately 9 9/16 inches. In some embodiments W12 and/or W13 may be less than about 6″ and/or more than about 1″. In some embodiments W11 may be less than about 24″ and/or more than about 2″. In some embodiments L11, L12, and/or L13 may be between about 4 7/16″ and 5 11/16″ as shown in FIGS. 9-11. L11, L12, and/or L13 may be less than about 12″ and/or more than about 2″. L11, L12, and/or L13 may be between about 3″ and 7″.

In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 9-12 and with exemplary dimensions shown in FIG. 12, handle 40 is illustrated as having a width W40 of about 4″, measured along hinge 47 from extension 47a to extension 47a. Width W40 may be less than about 12″ and/or more than about 1″, width W40 may be between about 1″ and 6″, between about 2″ and 6″, between about 1″ and 4″, and/or between about 2″ and 4″. Handle 40 is shown having a length L40 of about 1″, measured from hinge 47 to oppositely disposed hinge break 45. L40 may be less than about 6″ and/or more than about 0.25″, length L40 may be between about 0.5″ and 6″, between about 1″ and 6″, between about 0.25″ and 2″, and/or between about 0.5″ and 1.5″. Hinge 47 is shown located a distance D47 of about 1¼″ from fourth edge 11d of top panel 11, and having a plurality of radii R47. Distance D47 may be less than about 6″ and/or more than about 0.25″, between about 0.5″ and 4″, between about 0.5″ and 2″, between about 1″ and 4″ and/or between about 1″ and 2″. Extensions 47a are shown having width W47, length L47, and radius R47, which may be readily varied or omitted as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, dispensing panel 30 is shown having a width W30 of about 6⅞″, a first length L30 measured from a tip 36 to the intersection of dispensing break 35 with extension(s) 47a, and a second length L31 measured from one radius R35 to another radius R35 disposed in the length direction extending between third side 11c and fourth side 11d of top panel 11. Width W30 may be less than about 12″, less than about W11, more than about 2″, and/or more than about W40. Length L30 may be more than about or less than about length L31, either or both of which may be less than about 6″, less than about L11, and/or more than about 0.5″. Dispensing panel 35 may have a plurality of radii R35 and a tip radius R36, which may be readily varied or omitted as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Dimensions of dispensing panel 30 and/or any component thereof may be at least partially conditioned on any or all dimensions of handle 40 and/or top panel 11. Dimensions of handle 40 and/or any component thereof may be at least partially conditioned on any or all dimensions of dispensing panel 30 and/or top panel 11. Any or all dimensions of any component may be partially or substantially independent of any other dimension of any component.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, exemplary cross-sectional illustrations of one embodiment of container 10 are shown. In FIG. 13, container 10 and/or top panel 11 are shown in the closed position with handle 40 and dispensing panel 30 attached to and/or substantially coplanar with the rest of top panel 11. Coupling panel 25 is shown as extending away from second panel 20 in a direction toward first panel 14 and coupling panel 25 is shown extending substantially parallel with top panel 11. Handle 40 and/or dispensing panel 30 may be offset from the center line C of top panel 11 toward second panel 20 and/or away from first panel 14. In exemplary embodiments, hinge 47 may be aligned with or near the end of coupling panel 25 when in the closed position. Such a configuration or positioning of handle 40 and/or hinge 47 relative to coupling panel 25 may facilitate engagement of handle 40 with coupling panel 25 as shown in FIG. 14.

Container 10 is illustrated in FIG. 14 in the alternative partially open configuration discussed above, with handle 40 moved into an exemplary carrying position wherein at least a portion of handle 40 is in vertical alignment with at least a portion of coupling panel 25 and/or top panel 11. Coupling panel 25 may extend toward first panel 14 from second panel 20 substantially less than halfway or 50% of the distance or length between first panel 14 and second panel 20 and/or short of center line C. Coupling panel 25 may extend toward first panel 14 from second panel 20 less than about one-quarter or 25% of the distance between first panel 14 and second panel 20. Coupling panel 25 may extend toward first panel 14 from second panel 20 less than about 10% of the distance between first panel 14 and second panel 20. Handle 40 may be configured or positioned in relation to coupling panel 25 so that hinge line 47 of handle 40 is positioned nearer second panel 20 than first panel 14, and/or handle 40 and/or hinge line 47 may substantially be located on the same side of center line C as coupling panel 25. Coupling panel 25, handle 40, and/or hinge 47 may extend and/or be positioned, configured, and/or located less than one quarter or 25% of the distance between second panel 20 and first panel 14.

Handle 40 positioned in the carrying position shown in FIG. 14 may provide an area having at least three layers, with, for example, handle 40 on bottom, top panel 11 on top, and coupling panel 25 and/or attachment area 25a disposed between handle 40 and top panel 11. This multi-layer arrangement may be provided at a grip, handle, and/or carrying area and/or may increase the strength and/or carrying capacity of container 10 at this location. Handle 40 may be shaped, sized, and/or configured so that a user can use his or her hand to engage handle 40 at a folded or rounded portion of material, such as corrugated cardboard or chipboard, such as at or near hinge 47, which may be more comfortable and/or less abrasive than, for example, a rough edge of corrugated cardboard or chipboard. Engaging handle 40 at a folded or rounded corner or the like, and/or at or near a location of multiple layers of material, may provide enhanced tear resistance, durability, resiliency, and/or strength of handle 40, top panel 11, and/or container 10 or any component thereof. Moreover, coupling panel 25 may extend less than halfway or less than one quarter of the way to reduce the amount of material needed to make it and/or handle 40, and/or may be of limited length or extension to locate the three layer handle carrying configuration nearer the bend or corner of second panel 20 and coupling panel 25, which may further increase the strength and/or carrying capacity at handle 40. A user may apply or cause to be applied a lifting force P1 at handle 40 in the carrying position as necessary or desired to lift or cause to be lifted container 10 and/or any contents therein.

If container 10 contains or stores one or more articles 5, in some embodiments handle 40 may be disposed away from and/or located opposite the path of egress of articles 5 leaving container 10, as shown in FIG. 15. In such embodiments, handle 40 may have little or no contact with articles 5. It is possible that handle 40 could interfere with dispensing of interleafed and/or overlapped articles, and in some embodiments articles 5 and/or handle 40 may be configured and/or positioned relative to one another to minimize and/or substantially eliminate such interference.

In alternative embodiments handle 40 may relax into a guide position when lifting force P1 is removed, which is not shown. Handle 40 may contact or touch article 5 to help guide the article 5 out of container 10 through opening 32, 42 created by rotation of handle 40 about hinge 47 and removal of dispensing panel 30 relative to the rest of top panel 11. It is understood that a dispensing opening could be provided by removal of handle 40 to provide second opening 42, or a dispensing opening could be provided by removal of dispensing panel 30 to provide opening 32, or a dispensing opening could be provided by the combination of openings 32 and 42 and/or any other openings. Moreover, in an exemplary embodiment wherein article 5 is in sheet form with multiple sheets separated by a perforation, score, thinned area, weakened area, or the like, handle 40 may apply pressure to article 5 and help separation at the perforation, etc. A user may apply or cause to be applied a force P2 that may be used to remove one or more articles 5 from container 10. Article 5 may include, for example, a center tube or roll about which it may be wound and/or rotate as articles 5 are removed from container 10. It is understood that while handle 40 may be configured to act as a guide and/or to help separate articles 5, as articles 5 are removed and take up less volume in container 10, handle 40 may fall out of contact with and/or apply less pressure to articles 5.

Although the various figures illustrate package or container 10 as substantially rectangular in shape, it is understood that container 10 and/or any component thereof may be any of a variety of shapes or sizes, and the figures merely illustrate some embodiments. For example, container 10 may be substantially cylindrical, tubular, triangular, spherical, polygonal, free form, truncated or non-truncated, wider on top, wider on bottom, varying width or depth along its height, width, or depth, or substantially uniform in height, width, or depth, container 10 may have rounded corners, angled corners, straight corners, or no corners. It is further understood that container or package 10 may be substantially rigid, substantially flexible, a hybrid of rigid and flexible, or any combination of rigid, flexible, and/or hybrid, such as having some areas be flexible and some rigid. For example, container or package 10 may be rigid at or near top panel 11 and/or may include a flexible area within top panel 11 or elsewhere. It is understood that these examples are merely illustrative, are not limiting, and are provided to illustrate the versatility of options available in various embodiments of container or package 10.

It is further understood that container 10 and/or any component thereof may be made of any of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, any of a variety of suitable paper, wood, cardboard, chipboard, plastics material, any other material, or any combination thereof. Suitable cardboard material includes, but is not limited to, corrugated board, such as, for example, 32 ECT B-flute corrugated board. Suitable plastics material may include, but is not limited to, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), crystallized polyethylene terephthalate (CPET), mixtures and combinations thereof, or any other plastics material or any mixtures and combinations thereof. It is understood that multiple layers of material may be used for any of a variety of reasons, including to improve barrier properties, to reduce weight and/or lightweight, or to provide known functions related to multiple layer structures. The multiple layers, if included, may be of various materials, including those recited herein.

Further still, it is understood that any of a variety of processes or combination thereof may be used to form blank 50 and/or container 10, any component thereof, or any layer or substrate used therein. It is understood that, while some directional terms are used herein, such as top, bottom, length, width, etc., these terms are not intended to be limiting but rather to relate to one or more exemplary orientations, positions, and/or configurations of blank 50, container 10, and/or any component thereof. For example, container 10 may be oriented so that top panel 11 is substantially located at the top of container 10 while bottom panel 17 is in contact with an underlying surface, but it is understood that container 10 may be oriented differently so that a different portion of container 10 is in contact with an underlying surface and/or top panel 11 faces a direction other than up (e.g., front, back, or to a side).

These and other modifications and variations may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and it is not intended to limit the scope of that which is described in the claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the exemplary description of the versions contained herein.

Claims

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.