A self-contained container assembly which may be quickly and easily formed into a three-dimensional container without the need for additional components or tools which includes a container blank and a tape structure. The container blank includes (i) a plurality of laterally interconnected panels, and (ii) a set of closure flaps hingedly connected to the longitudinal ends of the panels at one end. The tape structure is attached to the container blank and includes (i) a release surface extending longitudinally along a first of the closure flaps from proximate the panel to which the closure flap is connected to proximate the distal end of the closure flap, and (ii) a length of closure adhesive tape extending over substantially the entire length of the first closure flap--in overlapping relationship to the release surface--and a distance across the panel to which the first closure flap is connected sufficient for the tape to remain attached to the container blank upon removal of that length of the tape extending across the first closure flap.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to corrugated fiberboard and paperboard containers 
and systems for erecting a three-dimensional container from a container 
blank or a collapsed container structure. 
BACKGROUND 
Cardboard containers are frequently erected from collapsed container 
structures by securing pressure sensitive box sealing tape along the seams 
between the closed side flaps. The tape is generally applied from a roll 
using automatic dispensing and taping equipment or a manually operable 
hand-held dispenser. Those who have attempted to perform the seemingly 
simple task of manually erecting a container structure and securing it 
with tape will attest to the fact that a certain level of skill and 
dexterity is required to retain the flaps in proper alignment while 
dispensing and applying the tape. An additional problem encountered by 
those who only occasionally erect such containers is that--in accordance 
with Murphy's Law--the roll of tape and dispensing tool are never to be 
found when they are needed. 
Several efforts have been made to provide a fully self-contained container 
which is simple to assemble and does not require the use of additional 
tools. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,998,180 issued to Dehoney, Jr. discloses a self-sealing 
container wherein the exterior surface of one side closure flap at each 
end of the container is completely coated with an aggressive pressure 
sensitive adhesive covered with a release liner. The container is 
assembled at each end by folding the end flaps, folding the 
adhesive-coated side flap, removing the release liner, and folding the 
other side flap into adhesive engagement with the adhesive-coated side 
flap. While generally effective as a self-closing container, the container 
requires the use of substantial quantities of pressure sensitive adhesive, 
disposal of a sizable amount of release liner, and does not work with 
regular slotted containers (RSC) because of the need for fully overlapping 
side flaps. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,276,664, issued to Johnson, and 2,896,836, issued to 
Bergstein, disclose self-sealing containers wherein the overlapping 
surfaces of closure flaps are *image, (pattern) coated with an aggressive 
cohesive adhesive (bonds only to itself). The container is assembled at 
each end by first folding the end flaps and then folding the side flaps 
into adhesive engagement with the end flaps (Johnson) or each other 
(Bergstein). Those areas where the adhesive overlaps causes the flaps to 
bond together and thereby close the container. While generally effective 
as self-closing containers, the containers require that the adhesive be 
imaged onto the container within close tolerance levels to avoid premature 
bonding of the flaps and is subject to premature bonding of the individual 
flaps of a single container and the flaps of multiple containers due to 
shifting of the collapsed containers during shipping and handling. In 
addition, the fully assembled container is not sealed along the seam where 
the flaps come together and is subject to the introduction of contaminants 
into the container. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,345,920, issued to Jordan discloses a self-sealing 
container wherein paired adhesive coated strips are attached to the 
underside of each of the innermost flaps. The strips extend upward through 
a slot in the innermost flaps positioned at the juncture of the outermost 
flaps for adhesively bonding to the exterior surface of each of the 
outermost flaps. While generally effective as self-closing container, the 
positioning of the adhesive strips produces a weakly bonded container. 
While these configurations are generally acceptable for limited uses, a 
need continues to exist for a reliable, high quality, inexpensive, 
self-contained collapsed container which is simple and easy to assemble 
and seal. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
We have discovered a self-contained container assembly which may be quickly 
and easily formed into a three-dimensional container and sealed without 
the need for additional components or tools. The container assembly 
includes a container blank and a tape structure. The container blank 
includes (i) a plurality of laterally interconnected panels, and (ii) a 
set of closure flaps hingedly connected to the longitudinal edges of the 
panels at one end. The tape structure is attached to the container blank 
and includes (i) a release surface extending longitudinally along a first 
of the closure flaps from proximate the panel to which the closure flap is 
connected to proximate the distal edge of the closure flap, and (ii) a 
length of closure adhesive tape extending over substantially the entire 
length of the first closure flap--in overlapping relationship to the 
release surface--and a distance across the panel to which the first 
closure flap is connected sufficient for the tape to remain attached to 
the container blank upon removal of that length of the tape extending 
across the first closure flap. 
The tape structure is positioned along the width of the first closure flap 
so that the closure adhesive tape can secure the first set of closure 
flaps in an overlapping closed position by peeling the tape from the 
primary closure flap, folding the closure flaps in an overlapping 
relationship with the closure flaps positioned immediately to either side 
of the first closure flap closed last, and the closure tape adhesively 
applied over its original position on the first closure flap. 
When the container blank forms a rectangular container with a pair of 
assembly opposed end flaps and a pair of assembly opposed side flaps, the 
container assembly can include multiple tape structures on each end flap. 
The tape structures are laterally positioned on the end flaps to cover 
imaginary longitudinal lines extending inward from the side edges of each 
end flap a distance equal to the length of the side flap located proximate 
that side of the end flap. Such a lateral positioning locates the closure 
tape along the seam formed between the pair of side flaps when the 
container is formed and the flaps are folded inward to close the end of 
the container.

DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING A BEST MODE 
Definitions 
As used herein, including the claims, the phrase "assembly opposed flaps" 
means that the flaps are diametrically opposed to each other after the 
container is assembled. It is noted that flaps which are not diametrically 
opposed when the container is in blank form may become diametrically 
opposed when the container is assembled. 
As used herein, including the claims, the phrase "regular slotted 
container" means a single piece fiber shipping container in which opposing 
flaps are the same length and the outer flaps meet in the center. 
______________________________________ 
Nomenclature 
______________________________________ 
10 Container Blank 
10a First Open End of Container Blank 
10b Second Open End of Container Blank 
11 First Panel of Container 
11a First Edge of First Panel 
11b Second Edge of First Panel 
11c Score Line Defining First Edge of First Panel 
11d Score Line Defining Second Edge of First Panel 
12 Second Panel of Container 
12a First Edge of Second Panel 
12b Second Edge of Second Panel 
12c Score Line Along First Edge of Second Panel 
12d Score Line Along Second Edge of Second Panel 
13 Third Panel of Container 
13a First Edge of Third Panel 
13b Second Edge of Third Panel 
13c Score Line Along First Edge of Third Panel 
13d Score Line Along Second Edge of Third Panel 
14 Fourth Panel of Container 
14a First Edge of Fourth Panel 
14b Second Edge of Fourth Panel 
14c Score Line Along First Edge of Fourth Panel 
14d Score Line Along Second Edge of Fourth Panel 
15 Score Line Between First and Second Panels 
16 Score Line Between Second and Third Panels 
17 Score Line Between Fourth and First Panels 
18 Attaching Flap 
19 Score Line Between Fourth Panel and Attaching Flap 
21a End Flap Extending from First Edge of First Panel 
21b End Flap Extending from Second Edge of First Panel 
21d Distal Edge of End Flaps On First Panel 
22a Side Flap On First Edge of Second Panel 
22b Side Flap On Second Edge of Second Panel 
22d Distal Edge of Side Flaps On Second Panel 
23a End Flap On First Edge of Third Panel 
23b End Flap On Second Edge of Third Panel 
23d Distal Edge of End Flaps On Third Panel 
24a Side Flap On First Edge of Fourth Panel 
24b Side Flap On Second Edge of Fourth Panel 
24d Distal Edge of Side Flaps On Fourth Panel 
50 Adhesive Tape Structure 
60 Closure Adhesive Tape 
60m Adhesive Layer of Closure Adhesive Tape 
60n Backing Layer of Closure Adhesive Tape 
60w Length of Closure Tape Bonded to Container 
60x Length of Closure Tape Bonded to Target Tape 
60y Length of Closure Tape Bonded to Release Surface 
60z Length of Closure Tape (60w + 60x + 60y) 
61 Fixed End of Closure Tape 
62 Releasable End of Closure Tape 
63 Tab at Releasable End of Closure Tape 
65 Y-shaped Tape Structure 
66 First Length of Tape 
67 Second Length of Tape 
67a First Section of Second Length of Tape 
67b Bonded Mid-Section of Second Length of Tape 
67c Second Section of Second Length of Tape 
70 Target Tape 
70m Adhesive Layer of Target Adhesive Tape 
70n Backing Layer of Target Adhesive Tape 
80 Release Surface 
______________________________________ 
Components 
Container Blank 
The container blank 10 must include at least one end flap 21/23 and a pair 
of assembly opposed side flaps 22a/24a or 22b/24b positioned at one end 
10a/10b of the container blank 10. For purposes of facilitating a 
discussion of the invention, the invention will be described with a 
regular slotted container (RSC) 10 such as depicted in FIGS. 1-7. 
Referring to FIG. 1, a regular slotted container blank 10 formed of 
conventional container materials, such as corrugated fiberboard, is shown 
prior to assembly. The container blank 10 is a unitary piece of material 
which includes a number of panels 11/12/13/14 and flaps 
21a/22a/23a/24a/21b/22b/23b/24b defined by longitudinally extending 
15/16/17 and laterally extending 11c/12c/13c/14c/11d/12d/13d/14d score 
lines formed in the container blank 10 in a conventional manner. 
The container 10 may be formed from any of the widely accepted materials 
used to manufacture such containers 10 including corrugated fiberboard, 
flat fiberboard, corrugated polymeric and cellulosic fibers, sheets of 
solid polymeric materials, and the like. 
The regular slotted container blank 10 includes first, second, third and 
fourth panels 11/12/13/14 separated from one another by substantially 
parallel longitudinally extending score lines 15/16//17. An attaching flap 
18 extends from the side edge (unnumbered) of the fourth panel 14 and a 
score line 19 is formed between fourth panel 14 and attaching flap 18 for 
enabling the flap to be folded at substantially right angles to the fourth 
panel 14. 
Panels 11/12/13/14 include first laterally extending edges 11a/12a/13a/14a 
defined by laterally extending score lines 11c/12c/13c/14c and second 
laterally extending edges 11b/12b/13b/14b defined by laterally extending 
score lines 11d/12d/13d/14d respectively. A first set of closure flaps 
21a/22a/23a/24a are hingedly connected to panels 11/12/13/14 along the 
first laterally extending edges 11a/12a/13a/14a thereof for closing the 
first open end 10a of the container. Similarly, a second set of closure 
flaps 21b/22b/23b/24b are hingedly connected to panels 11/12/13/14 along 
the second laterally extending edges 11b/12b/13b/14b thereof for closing 
the second end 10b of the container. Each of the closure flaps 
21a/22a/23a/24a/21b/22b/23b/24b are separated from one another along the 
longitudinally extending lateral edges (unnumbered) by slits or slots 
(unnumbered) so that the closure flaps 21a/22a/23a/24a/21b/22b/23b/24b may 
be independently bent along the respective laterally extending score lines 
11c/12c/13c/14c/11d/12d/13d/14d for closing the erected container. 
Adhesive Tape Structure 
CLOSURE ADHESIVE TAPE 
The adhesive tape structure 50 includes a length of closure adhesive tape 
60 which may be peeled from the side flap 21a/21b/23a/23b of the container 
blank 10--without losing complete contact with the container blank 10--and 
adhesively bonded along the distal edges 22d/24d of a pair of opposed side 
flaps 22a/24a or 22b/24b. The reapplied closure tape 60 covers the seam 
(not shown) between the flaps 22a/24a or 22b/24b and bonds the pair of 
side flaps 22a/24a or 22b/24b together so as to close an open end of the 
container. 
Two lengths of tape structure 50 are positioned at each open end 10a/10b of 
the container blank 10. The tape structure 50 must extend over a portion 
of the first 11 and third 13 panels and across the respective end flaps 
21a/21b/23a/23b to at least proximate the distal edges 21d/23d of the end 
flaps 21a/21b/23a/23b. The tape structure 50 must be positioned relative 
to the second 12 and fourth 14 panels so that they are positioned directly 
underneath the seam (not shown) formed by each set of paired side flaps 
22a/24a or 22b/24b when that open end 10a/10b of the container is closed. 
The lengths of tape structure 50 must be laminated to a release surface 80 
at least along the surface of the end flaps 21a/21b/23a/23b so that the 
tape structure 50 may be peeled from the end flap 21a/21b/23a/23b and 
applied across the seam (not shown) of the corresponding pair of side 
flaps 22a/24a or 22b/24b during assembly. 
Various configurations of tape structures 50 may be employed to achieve the 
necessary functionality described above. A first configuration is shown in 
FIGS. 1 and 2 where the release surface 80 and closure adhesive tape 60 
extend completely across the entire length of the container blank 10 from 
the distal edge 21d/23d at one open end 10a to the distal edge 21d/23d at 
the other 10b. Release surface 80 in this embodiment is the release 
treated back surface of a second length of adhesive tape. 
As shown in FIG. 1, this configuration does not include a length 60w of the 
closure adhesive tape 60 bonded to the container blank 10. The entire 
length 60z of closure tape 60 is laminated to the release surface 80. 
This configuration is simple to manufacture but includes unnecessary 
lengths of closure tape 60 and release surface 80 along the center of the 
panels 11/13. In addition, the closure tape 60 is not permanently bonded 
to the container blank 10 anywhere along the length of the closure tape 60 
such that a user--unfamiliar with the procedure for assembling the 
container blank 10--may mistakenly or accidentally remove the entire 
length of closure tape 60 from the container blank 10. 
A second configuration is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 where the release surface 
80 extends only across the end flap 21a/21b/23a/23b and the closure 
adhesive tape 60 extends across both a portion of the panel 11/13 and the 
corresponding end flap 21a/21b/23a/23b. This configuration provides that 
each tape structure 50 includes a detachable length 60y of closure 
adhesive tape 60 laminated to a release surface 80 across the end flaps 
21a/21b/23a/23b for closing the open end 10a/10b of the container blank 10 
and a length 60w of closure adhesive tape 60 permanently bonded to the 
panel 11/13 of the container 10 for preventing complete removal of the 
closure tape 60 from the container blank 10 during assembly and securing 
the closure tape 60 and side flaps 22a/22b/24a/24b in position after 
assembly. 
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2A, the second configuration may include a 
single length of closure tape 60 which extends across both end flaps 
21a/21b or 23a/23b and the panel 11/13 to which the end flaps 21a/21b or 
23a/23b are connected. Such an alternate embodiment simplifies 
construction of the container blank 10 by forming two tape structures 50 
with a single length of closure tape 60. 
While generally acceptable, the second configuration is not completely 
foolproof. Conceivably, a user--unfamiliar with the procedure for 
assembling the container blank 10--may mistakenly peel the closure tape 60 
not only from the end flaps 21a/21b/23a/23b as appropriate but also from 
the panel 11/13 of the container blank 10 even though removal from the 
panel 11/13 is much more difficult and will tend to rip the container 
blank 10. 
One option for preventing complete removal of the closure tape 60 from the 
container 10 is to use a target tape 70 as the release surface 80, forming 
a longitudinally extending laterally overhanging length of closure tape 60 
by either employing a closure tape 60 which is wider than the target tape 
70 or laterally offsetting the closure tape 60 relative to the target tape 
70, and then--along at least a portion of the tape structure 50 connected 
to the panel 11/12/13--folding or tucking the overhanging longitudinal 
edge of the closure tape 60 under the target tape 70 to form an 
adhesive-to-adhesive bond between the tapes 60/70 as shown in FIGS. 9b and 
9c. Formation of such a longitudinally hemmed adhesive tape structure is 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,900 issued to Pinckney et al. and 
assigned to the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company. 
A nearly foolproof configuration is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. A Y-shaped tape 
structure 65 is formed by contacting the end of a first length of tape 66 
to the mid-section of a second length of tape 67 with the adhesive coated 
surfaces of both lengths bonded together for a short distance 60x. The 
first length of tape 66 (one of the legs of the Y structure) divides the 
second length of tape 67 into a first adhesive section 67a (the other leg 
of the Y structure), a bonded mid-section 67b where the first 66 and 
second 67 lengths of closure tape 60 are joined, and a second adhesive 
section 67c which--along with the bonded mid-section 67b--forms the base 
of the Y structure. 
The Y-shaped tape structure 65 is applied to the container blank 10 by (i) 
positioning the crotch of the Y-shaped tape structure 65 proximate to the 
score line 11c/11d/13c/13d between the panel 11/13 and corresponding end 
flap 21a/21b/23a/23b to which the tape structure 65 is to be attached with 
the crotch parallel to the score line 11c/11d/13c/13d and resting either 
directly on the score line 11c/11d/13c/13d or the panel 11/13 but not the 
end flap 21a/21b/23a/23b, (ii) adhesively bonding the first length of tape 
66 (one of the legs of the Y) to the end flap 21a/21b/23a/23b, (iii) 
adhesively bonding the first adhesive section 67a of the second length of 
tape 67 (the other leg of the Y) to the corresponding panel 11/13, and 
(iv) aligning the bonded mid-section 67b and second adhesive 67c sections 
of the second length of tape 67 (the base of the Y) with the previously 
applied first length of tape 66. The first length of tape 66 functions as 
a release surface 80 for the second adhesive section 67c of the second 
length of tape 67. The legs of the Y-shaped tape structure 65--which are 
adhesively bonded to the container blank 10 in opposite 
directions--prevent the tape structure 65 from being peeled from the 
container blank 10 by pulling on the second adhesive section 67c of the 
second length of tape 67. 
When the side flaps 22a/22b/24a/24b of the container blank 10 are wider 
than the length of the end flaps 21a/21b/23a/23b the tape structure 50 may 
be extended over the distal edge 21d/23d of the end flap 21a/21b/23a/23b 
and onto the back surface (unnumbered) of the end flap 21a/21b/23a/23b in 
order to provide a length of closure adhesive tape 60 long enough to 
extend across substantially the entire seam (not shown) between the side 
flaps 22a/24a or 22b/24b. The back surface (unnumbered) of the end flaps 
21a/21b/23a/23b is treated with a release coating to allow the closure 
tape 60 to be peeled from the end flap 21a/21b/23a/23b for use in 
assembling the container 10. 
Backing 
Tapes useful in the manufacture of this invention include those tapes 
having backings made of mono-axially and biaxially oriented polypropylene, 
oriented polyester, filament/fiber combinations, paper and the like. 
Adhesive 
The adhesive may be selected from any of the well known and widely 
available aggressive adhesives used with box closure tapes. The adhesive 
may be a heat-activated adhesive such as ethylene vinyl acetate adhesives 
(particularly those having a high vinyl acetate content of about 18-30 wt 
%); a water-activated adhesive such as a gummed adhesive; a pressure 
sensitive adhesive such as acrylate adhesives and tackified block 
copolymer adhesives; etc. Because of the ease with which such closure 
tapes 60 may be applied, the preferred adhesive is an aggressive pressure 
sensitive adhesive. 
Particularly suitable pressure sensitive adhesive tapes for use as the 
closure tape 60 in the present invention include SCOTCH.RTM. brand tapes 
373 and 375 available from the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company 
of St. Paul, Minn. 
Closure tapes 60 using adhesives which do not possess any tack until 
activated, such as the gummed adhesives, must be activated in strategic 
locations during assembly of the pretaped container blank 10 so that the 
closure tape 60 will adhere to the container blank 10 during shipping, 
handling and storage. The surface area of the closure tape 60 which is 
pre-activated must be strictly limited since the pre-activated areas will 
not be available for bonding to the side flaps 22a/22b/24a/24b during 
assembly and oversized areas will tend to lift strips of paper from the 
container blank 10. One example of a suitable configuration is depicted in 
FIG. 7 where the width of the pre-activated lines is about 1 to 2 mm. 
Other suitable configurations include a dotted pattern of activated 
adhesive or the inclusion of a thin line of pressure sensitive adhesive. 
Tab 
The releasable end 62 of the closure adhesive tape 60 includes a releasable 
tab 63, also known as a lift tab or a finger tab, when a pressure 
sensitive adhesive is employed. The tab 63 prevents the releasable end 62 
from adhesively bonding to the release surface 80 so that the releasable 
end 62 may be readily gripped for peeling of the closure adhesive tape 60 
from the release surface 80. The tab 63 is preferably releasably bonded to 
the closure tape 60 so that the tab 63 may be removed after application of 
the closure adhesive tape 60 to the side flaps 22a/22b/24a/24b and that 
portion of the closure adhesive tape 60 covered by the tab 63 also applied 
to the side flaps 22a/22b/24a/24b. Suitable materials for use as the 
release tab 63 include silicone coated paper sheets or plastic films. 
The releasable tab 63 may be eliminated by simply folding the releasable 
end 62 of the closure adhesive tape 60 back upon itself in 
adhesive-to-adhesive contact to create a nonadhesive tab 63 at the 
releasable end 62 of the closure tape 60. While this option is generally 
simpler, less expensive and results in the generation of less waste, it is 
only practical where the presence of a nonadhesive tab 63 extending from 
the completely assembled box is acceptable from both a functional and 
aesthetic standpoint. Numerous other options are also available including 
coating the adhesive at the releasable end 62 of the closure tape 60 with 
a de-tackifying agent such as wax or talc; covering the releasable end 62 
of the closure tape 60 with printing ink; manufacturing closure tape 60 
which does not coat the releasable end 62 of the closure tape 60 with 
adhesive 60m; etc. 
RELEASE SURFACE 
A release surface 80 is required when a pressure sensitive adhesive tape is 
employed. The release surface 80 provides appropriate release 
characteristics so that the pressure sensitive adhesive on the closure 
tape 60 may be peeled from the release surface 80 without leaving an 
adhesive residue on the release surface 80 and without lifting fragments 
of the release surface 80 which would interfere with adhesive bonding of 
the closure tape 60 to the side flaps 22a/22b/24a/24b. 
Any material capable of forming a bond with the container blank 10 which is 
sufficient to prevent delamination of the material from the container 
blank 10 when the closure adhesive tape 60 is peeled from the material and 
possessing the release characteristics outlined above may be used to form 
the release surface 80. Suitable materials include target tapes and 
release coatings. 
Target Tapes 
Adhesive tapes used to form a release surface 80 are known as target tapes 
70. Tapes suitable for use as a target tape 70 include tapes that adhere 
well to the container 10 and have a backing surface from which an adhesive 
closure tape 60 will release without lifting of the target tape 70 from 
the container 10 or leaving residual adhesive 60m on the target tape 70. 
Examples of suitable pressure sensitive adhesive tapes suitable for use as 
the target tape 70 in the present invention include the same SCOTCH.RTM. 
brand tapes disclosed above as suitable for use as the closure tape 60 in 
this invention. 
Release Coating 
A release coating can be applied to the container blank 10 to provide the 
desired release surface 80. The release coating provides a surface on the 
container blank 10 with a reduced adhesive affinity for the pressure 
sensitive adhesive 60m on the closure tape 60. 
Materials suitable as for use as the release coating include acrylates, 
fluorochemicals, polyethylenes, silicones, epoxy silicones, vinyl 
copolymers and combinations of these compounds. Additional compounds 
suitable for use as the release coating are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,728,571 issued to Clemens et al. One family of commercially available 
silicone release coatings are available from Dow Corning Corporation of 
Midland, Mich. under the mark SYL-OFF.RTM.. Preferred types of low 
adhesion backsize are the siloxane and acrylate based compounds disclosed 
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,513 issued to Riedel and the water-insoluble 
hydrophobic urethane (carbamate) copolymer of polyvinyl alcohol and 
octadecyl isocyanate disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,532,011 issued to 
Dahlquist et al, both assigned to the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing 
Company of St. Paul, Minn. 
The release coating may be applied by any of the conventional water or 
solvent-based coating techniques including air knife, trailing blade, 
direct and offset gravure, Meyer bar, wire-wound rod, reverse roll, roll 
coating, print bond and spray coating. 
When a low-adhesion backsize is employed to form the release coating, a 
dried coating weight of at least about 0.04 mg backsize per cm.sup.2 
container surface is generally effective for achieving the desired 
reduction in adhesion. 
A final option available for providing the desired release characteristics 
with closure adhesive tapes 60 employing a pressure sensitive adhesive 60m 
is the use of a release liner (not shown) covering the adhesive 60m. The 
liner (not shown) would include a discontinuity such as a hole or slit 
(not shown) in the liner near the releasable end 62 of the closure tape 60 
through which the adhesive 60m could adhere to the container blank 10 and 
hold the closure tape 60 in position until the container blank 10 is 
assembled. Because of the additional refuse generated by the need to 
remove and dispose of the liner (not shown) during assembly, this 
embodiment is not the embodiment of choice for most applications. 
The pretaped container blank 10 may be rendered reusable by also 
positioning a release surface 80 over the surface of the side flaps 
22a/24a/22b/24b which will be contacted by the closure tape 60 in the 
assembled container. However, it must be remembered that incorporation of 
a release surface 80 on the side flaps 22a/24a/22b/24b will decrease the 
strength of the adhesive bond between the closure tape 60 and the side 
flaps 22a/24a/22b/24b and may not be suitable for those applications where 
maximum strength is required. 
Formation of Container 
The free ends of the container blank are brought together and joined by 
means of the attaching flap 18 using a manufacturer's joint. The 
manufacturer's joint is formed by the manufacturer and may be achieved 
with taped joints, glued joints or wire-stitched joints. The jointed 
container blank 10 may then be assembled into a three-dimensional 
container by (i) folding the end flaps 21a/23a towards each other until 
they form a flat surface relative to one another, (ii) peeling the 
releasable adhesive tape 60y from at least the entire length of each end 
flap 21a/23a, (iii) folding the side flaps 22a/24a over the folded end 
flaps 21a/23a to form a flat surface, and (iv) applying the lengths of 
adhesive tape 60y peeled from the end flaps 21a/23a over the seam (not 
shown) between the side flaps 22a/24a so as to connect the side flaps 
22a/24a and close the first end of the container. Once the desired 
contents have been placed in the container the container may be sealed by 
simply repeating steps (i) through (iv) above for the second end of the 
container. 
In addition to the aspects described herein, the container 10 may also 
include customary enhancements such as an address label, internal 
cushioning, etc.