Abstract:
The present invention is directed toward a polygonal container having at least five interconnected body panels and a blank for making the polygonal container. The ends of the polygonal container are provided with a plurality of pie-shaped triangular sections that can provide unique decorative experience to the user of a consumer product contained and dispensed from therein.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to making six-sided, three-dimensional structures by folding flat sheet materials to form an article useful for decoration or, on a larger scale, an article used as a general purpose support structure. A specific provides both a package and container for forming a decorative polygonal container having at least six sides. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A variety of containers that are presently in use are formed from one or more paperboard blanks that are divided by fold lines into a plurality of panels. This type of container has attained great popularity because it is inexpensive to produce and takes little storage space before it is folded and formed into a container suitable for containing articles of manufacture. In addition, it can be made attractive and provides adequate protection for many types of articles that may be disposed therein. 
     Most containers of this type include a top formed by a single rectangular top panel that is joined to a side panel along a fold line. If it is desired to have a more elaborate top or bottom portion, either for added structural protection or for aesthetic reasons, it has usually been necessary to depart from folded container construction, thus sacrificing any inherent advantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first embodiment of the present disclosure provides for a blank of foldable material. The blank comprises a flat, substantially rectangular, blank of foldable material having top, bottom, left and right side edges, and a plurality of at least five interconnected body panels disposed between the left and right side edges. Each of the panels extends from the top edge and the bottom edge. The top edge and the bottom edge have a plurality of peaks and valleys. A first portion of the plurality of peaks and valleys are joined by curvilinear lines and a second portion of the peaks and valleys are joined by straight lines. The curvilinear lines joining the peaks and valleys of the top portion are adjacent at least one of the straight lines joining the peaks and valleys of the top portion. The blank also comprises a first plurality of fold lines adjacent both the top edge and the bottom edge. The first plurality of fold lines comprises a plurality of identical arch-shaped lines and a plurality of straight vertical lines. The arch-shaped fold lines are arranged side by side with the sides meeting and terminating at points on the valleys of both the top and bottom edges. The straight vertical fold lines connect the apexes of the arched shapes and the peaks along the top and bottom edges between the sides of the arches. The blank also comprises a second and third plurality of arch-shaped fold lines disposed between and connecting the apexes of the arched shapes. The second and third plurality of arch shaped fold lines are disposed generally parallel to each other and form a first plurality of regions. Each of the first plurality of regions separate each of the panels into a first body region, a second region containing the first plurality of fold lines adjacent to the top edge, and a third region containing the first plurality of fold lines adjacent to the bottom edge. The right and left side edges are joinable to first form a cylinder having a circumference defined by the at least five interconnected body panels. The top edge is folded inward along the fold lines and the bottom edge is folded inward along the fold lines to form a substantially flat panel at the top and a substantially flat panel at the bottom. 
     A second embodiment of the present disclosure provides for a polygonal container. The container comprises a flat, substantially rectangular, blank of foldable material having top, bottom, left and right side edges, and at least five interconnected body panels disposed between the left and right side edges. Each of the panels extends from the top edge and the bottom edge. The top edge and the bottom edge have a plurality of peaks and valleys. A first portion of the plurality of peaks and valleys are joined by curvilinear lines and a second portion of the peaks and valleys are joined by straight lines. The curvilinear lines joining the peaks and valleys of the top portion are adjacent at least one of the straight lines joining the peaks and valleys of the top portion. The blank also comprises a first plurality of fold lines adjacent both the top edge and the bottom edge. The first plurality of fold lines comprises a plurality of identical arch-shaped lines and a plurality of straight vertical lines. The arch-shaped fold lines are arranged side by side with the sides meeting and terminating at points on the valleys of both the top and bottom edges. The straight vertical fold lines connect the apexes of the arched shapes and the peaks along the top and bottom edges between the sides of the arches. The blank also comprises a second and third plurality of arch-shaped fold lines disposed between and connecting the apexes of the arched shapes. The second and third plurality of arch shaped fold lines are disposed generally parallel to each other and form a first plurality of regions. Each of the first plurality of regions separate each of the panels into a first body region, a second region containing the first plurality of fold lines adjacent to the top edge, and a third region containing the first plurality of fold lines adjacent to the bottom edge. The right and left side edges are joinable to first form a cylinder having a circumference defined by the at least five interconnected body panels. The top edge is folded inward along the fold lines and the bottom edge is folded inward along the fold lines to form a substantially flat panel at the top and a substantially flat panel at the bottom. Sealing means is disposed within a region of each flat panel circumscribed and formed by the top and bottom edges respectively. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an exemplary blank for a paper package; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary container formed from the blank of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the top of the exemplary container of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of an exemplary blank for a paper package; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary container formed from the blank of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the top of the exemplary container of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of another embodiment of an exemplary blank for a paper package; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exemplary container formed from the blank of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of the top of the exemplary container of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of yet another embodiment of an exemplary blank for a paper package; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of yet another exemplary container formed from the blank of  FIG. 10 ; and, 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of the top of the exemplary container of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The term machine direction (MD) is known to those of skill in the art as the direction of travel of a web material through any processing equipment. The cross-machine direction (CD) is orthogonal and coplanar to the MD. The Z-direction is orthogonal to both the machine and cross-machine directions. 
       FIG. 1  shows an unfolded carton blank  10  of one embodiment of the present invention. The body portion and the end walls forming a proper and complete container may be assembled from a single carton blank  10 . The carton blank  10  is preferably formed from a paperboard material which has been suitably cut and scored as shown. It should be understood that a container having at least three side walls can be formed in accordance with the present disclosure. However, one of skill in the art would readily appreciate that a container having at least six side walls can be formed in a similar manner in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     As shown, the unfolded carton blank  10  is provided with a plurality of parallel extending score lines d defining a plurality of body panel portions. As shown, each of the plurality of parallel extending score lines d are parallel to the CD. However, the plurality of parallel extending score lines d can be oriented in any direction necessary to form each of the body panel portions shown. In the exemplary embodiment shown, carton blank  10  is provided with five parallel extending score lines d. Each body panel is bounded by an adjacent pair of the parallel extending score lines d. Thus, a first pair of parallel extending score lines d form first body panel  14 . A second pair of parallel extending score lines d form second body panel  16 . Likewise a third  18 , fourth  20 , fifth  22 , and sixth body panel  24  are formed by succeeding adjacent parallel extending score lines d with sixth body panel  24  having left side edge e forming the outer edge of the panel. However, one of skill in the art will realize that any number of parallel extending score lines d can be provided so as to obtain a resulting container having a cross-section of any desired arcuate or polygonal contour. The parallel extending score lines d are preferably disposed generally parallel to the CD. In the embodiment shown, each of the body panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  are disposed collectively elongate in the MD. 
     Disposed adjacent to each body panel  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  of carton blank  10  are a pair of side panels. In the embodiment shown, a first side panel of a particular body panel is disposed at a first end of the body panel on the longitudinal axis (e.g., in the embodiment shown along the CD) of the body panel. A second side panel is disposed on the longitudinal axis of the body panel and distal from the first side panel. Each side panel could be defined as an extension of the respective body panel and defining the CD edge of the respective body panel. 
     In other words, each side panel is bounded by extensions of the parallel extending score lines d, the top and bottom MD edges forming the boundaries of carton blank  10 , and arcuate score lines a, a′ that are disposed generally parallel to the MD and extend archingly across each body panel forming carton blank  10 . By way of non limiting example, first side panel  26  and seventh side panel  38  are disposed upon distal CD ends of first body panel  14 . Naturally, second side panel  28  and eighth side panel  40  are disposed upon distal ends of second body panel  16 , third side panel  30  and ninth side panel  42  are disposed upon distal ends of third body panel  18 , fourth side panel  32  and tenth side panel  44  are disposed upon distal ends of fourth body panel  20 , fifth side panel  34  and eleventh side panel  46  are disposed upon distal ends of fifth body panel  22 , and sixth side panel  36  and twelfth side panel  48  are disposed upon distal ends of sixth body panel  24 . Each side panel is bounded and separated from the corresponding body panel by an arcuate score line a, a′. 
     It was surprisingly found that each arcuate score line a, a′ facilitates a Z-direction rotation (i.e., a rotation out of the MD/CD plane of the carton blank  10 ) of each side panel  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 / 38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  about an axis formed by the arcuate score line a, a′ from the corresponding body panel  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , rotation provides the two ends of the resulting container  54  formed by adjacent side panels  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 / 38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  to fold nearly flat (i.e. substantially planar or even planar). Having two ends of the resulting container  54  formed by adjacent side panels  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 / 38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  that can fold essentially flat facilitates the packaging of multiple resulting containers  54  as well as facilitating the ability to provide adjacent resulting containers  54  in a closest-packing orientation that maximizes the number of resulting containers  54  in a given amount of shelf space. 
     Returning again to  FIG. 1 , top and bottom edges of the carton blank  10  include outwardly rounded edges (or segments) with quasi-alternating linear edges (or segments). Left side edge e and right side edge f are vertical and straight and parallel with the CD. Edge f is interrupted by shapes that form three closure tabs: first closure tab f 1 , second closure tab f 2 , and third closure tab f 3 . When forming the resulting container  54 , first closure tab f 1 , second closure tab f 2 , and third closure tab f 3  can be adhered to body panel  22  proximate to edge e by any means known to those of skill in the art. When first closure tab f 1 , second closure tab f 2 , and third closure tab f 3  are adhered to body panel  22 , it was found suitable to provide an additional score line g that facilitates folding of the edge-adhered carton blank  10  into a flattened condition for shipping due to the odd number of body panels used to form resulting container  54 . 
     A plurality of arch-shaped fold lines (b/c and b′/c′) are arranged along both edges with the arch-shaped fold lines along the bottom (b′/c′) of carton blank  10  being symmetrical with the arch-shaped fold lines disposed along the top (b/c) of carton blank  10 . Preferably, the arch-shaped fold lines along the bottom (b′/c′) of carton blank  10  are aligned with the arch-shaped fold lines along the top (b/c) of carton blank  10 . The arches are arranged side-by-side and the arch-shaped fold lines (b/c and b′/c′) which represent the sides of the arches terminate along each edge at a valley disposed between adjacent arches formed by the outwardly rounded edges and quasi-alternating linear edges. Each arch shaped fold line (b/c and b′/c′) terminates at a vertex formed by the intersection of the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d and arcuate score lines a, a′. All dotted lines which represent the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d in  FIG. 1  are creased in order to aid in the folding of carton blank  10  and the formation of resulting container  54 , so that the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d are encouraged to fold in the opposite direction from the arch-shaped fold lines (b/c and b′/c′). 
     The extensions of the parallel extending score lines d may be described more specifically regarding the arch shapes that appear along the top and bottom edges of the carton blank  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . Extensions of the parallel extending score lines d are each disposed between an apex of an arch shape forming the top and bottom edges of carton blank  10  and the intersection formed by arch shaped fold lines (b/c and b′/c′) of adjacent body panels and adjacent arcuate score lines a, a′ disposed upon adjacent body panels. While other fold lines may be pre-creased, the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d are preferably perforated to provide an inward bias to the folding of each recess formed by adjacent arcuate score lines a, a′ and adjacent arch shaped fold lines b/c, b′/c′. Further clarity will be given to the invention with regard to the arch shapes of carton blank  10  infra. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the folded resulting container  54  is shown with body panels and side panels disposed in their intended final configuration. As can be seen, one side panel is rotated about an arcuate score line a separating each side panel  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  from the corresponding body panel  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 . Concurrently with such rotation, each side panel  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  is folded about corresponding arch-shaped fold lines b, c and forms an apex between adjacent side panels  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  consistent with the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d that separates adjacent body panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 . As shown, the resulting folds produce an end of resulting container  54  that resembles a plurality of pie-shaped triangular sections that are bounded by arch-shaped fold lines b, c, arcuate score line a, and a portion of the top edge of carton blank  10 . Naturally, the bottom portion of carton blank  10  can form an end similar to that described supra to resemble a plurality of pie-shaped triangular sections that are bounded by arch-shaped fold lines b′, c′, arcuate score line a′, and a portion of the bottom edge of carton blank  10 . 
     The finally resulting container  54  can then be closed and held in a closed manner with sealing means  56 . The sealing means  56  may comprise any sealing means known to those of skill in the art for retaining relevant portions of the finally formed resulting container  54  in fixed relation to each other. By way of non-limiting example, sealing means  56  may comprise glue disposed at the intersection of all folded side panels, a tape strip disposed upon the surface forming the side of resulting container  54  and contacting each side panel forming the end of resulting container  54 , a locking tab that engages at least two portions of the sides forming resulting container  54 , and the like. Similarly, tabs can be included upon portions of the top and bottom edges forming carton blank  10 . These tabs can then be resultingly disposed in a face-to-face relationship upon the folding described supra that results in the formation of an end of resulting container  54 . Depositing an adhesive or other substance upon opposed portions of the tabs can then fixably position each pie-shaped portion of the end of resulting container  54 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a preferred embodiment of the carton blank  10  forms a resulting container  54  suitable for storing articles therein. Exemplary, but non-liming, articles include consumer products. Such consumer products can be edible or non-edible. Edible consumer products can include candy, snack products, such as snack chips, pretzels, and the like. Non-edible products can include, but are not limited to, tissue products, facial tissues, paper toweling, bath tissue, hardware, combinations thereof, and the like. In order to facilitate removal of products disposed within resulting container  54 , access panel  50  may be disposed upon at least one body panel of the carton blank  10 . The access panel  50  may be formed by perforations in order to facilitate its removal from the finally formed resulting container  54 . One or more finger grip region  52  may be formed in concert with access panel  50  in order to facilitate gripping of the access panel  50  and removal of access panel  50  from resulting container  54 . 
     A plurality of resulting containers  54  can be co-packaged or co-wrapped with other resulting containers  54  to provide for a package containing several resulting containers. This has been found to provide a convenient means for a consumer to obtain several resulting containers  54  containing similar products therein without the inconvenience of having to handle several individual resulting containers  54 . Such a co-packaging or co-wrapping execution can use a polymeric film or other suitable bundling means any machinery known to those of skill in the art to bulk wrap several resulting container  54  together. 
     It should also be realized by one of skill in the art that the resulting container  54  can be creatively decorated with indicium or indicia that coordinate the outer surface of the resulting container defined by body panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  with the pie-shaped triangular sections forming the ends of resulting container  54  and being substantially bounded by two of the plurality of straight vertical lines d, d′ and one of the second plurality of arch-shaped fold lines a, a′. By way of non-limiting example the container portion defined by body panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  could be provided as a representative fruit, cookie, berry, nut, and the like. Accordingly, the pie-shaped triangular sections forming the ends of resulting container  54  could be coordinatingly decorated to represent a portion, or slice, of a pie containing the fruit, cookie, berry, or nut, or can represent a cross-sectional view of the fruit, cookie, berry, or nut. Clearly, there are an innumerable number of suitable coordinated designs for use with the instantly disclosed container. For example, if the resulting container  54  is envisioned to hold candy therein, body panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  could be decorated with a design representing a perspective view of a jar containing the candy. The pie-shaped triangular sections forming the ends of resulting container  54  could be designed to represent a cross-sectional view of such a container. 
       FIG. 4  shows an unfolded carton blank  10   a  of one embodiment of the present invention. The body portion and the end walls forming a proper and complete container may be assembled from a single carton blank  10   a . The carton blank  10   a  is preferably formed from a paperboard material which has been suitably cut and scored as shown. It should be understood that a container having at least three side walls can be formed in accordance with the present disclosure. However, one of skill in the art would readily appreciate that a container having at least six side walls can be formed in a similar manner in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     As shown, the unfolded carton blank  10   a  is provided with a plurality of parallel extending score lines d defining a plurality of adjacent body panel portions. As shown, each of the plurality of parallel extending score lines d are parallel to the CD. However, the plurality of parallel extending score lines d can be oriented in any direction necessary to form each of the body panel portions shown. In the exemplary embodiment shown, carton blank  10   a  is provided with five parallel extending score lines d. Each body panel is bounded by an adjacent pair of the parallel extending score lines d. Thus, a first pair of parallel extending score lines d form first body panel  14 . A second pair of parallel extending score lines d form second body panel  16 . Likewise a third body panel  18 , fourth body panel  20 , fifth body panel  22 , and sixth body panel  24  are formed by succeeding adjacent parallel extending score lines d with sixth body panel  24  having left side edge e forming the outer edge of the panel. However, one of skill in the art will realize that any number of parallel extending score lines d can be provided so as to obtain a resulting container having a cross-section of any desired arcuate or polygonal contour. The parallel extending score lines d are preferably disposed generally parallel to the CD. In the embodiment shown, each of the body panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  are disposed to be collectively elongate in the MD. 
     Disposed adjacent to each body panel  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  of carton blank  10   a  are a pair of side panels. In the embodiment shown, a first side panel of a particular body panel is disposed at a first end of a body panel on the longitudinal axis (e.g., in the embodiment shown along the CD) of the body panel. A second side panel is disposed on the longitudinal axis of the body panel distal from the first side panel. Each side panel could be defined as an extension of the respective body panel and defining the CD edge of the respective body panel bounded by corresponding parallel extending score lines d. 
     In other words, each side panel is bounded by extensions of the parallel extending score lines d, the top and bottom MD edges forming the boundaries of carton blank  10   a , and arcuate score lines a/a″, a′/a′″ that are disposed generally parallel to the MD and extend archingly across each body panel forming carton blank  10 . By way of non-limiting example, first side panel  26  and seventh side panel  38  are disposed upon distal CD ends of first body panel  14 . Naturally, second side panel  28  and eighth side panel  40  are correspondingly disposed upon distal ends of second body panel  16 , third side panel  30  and ninth side panel  42  are correspondingly disposed upon distal ends of third body panel  18 , fourth side panel  32  and tenth side panel  44  are correspondingly disposed upon distal ends of fourth body panel  20 , fifth side panel  34  and eleventh side panel  46  are correspondingly disposed upon distal ends of fifth body panel  22 , and sixth side panel  36  and twelfth side panel  48  are correspondingly disposed upon distal ends of sixth body panel  24 . 
     Each side panel  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  is bounded and separated from the corresponding body panel  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  by corresponding regions  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82  that are each bounded by pairs of corresponding arcuate score lines a/a″, a′/a′″. In other words, one of skill in the art will realize that carton blank  10   a  is provided with a first plurality of side panels  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  disposed adjacent and corresponding body panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  and separated by corresponding regions  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70  bounded by corresponding arcuate score lines a, a″ and a second plurality of side panels  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  are separated from corresponding body panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  and separated by corresponding regions  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82  bounded by corresponding arcuate score lines a′, a′″. 
     It was surprisingly found that each region  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82  bounded by corresponding arcuate score lines a/a″, a′/a′″ can facilitate a Z-direction rotation (i.e., a rotation out of the MD/CD plane of the carton blank  10   a ) of each side panel  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  about an axis formed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of reach region  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82  bounded by corresponding arcuate score lines a/a″, a′/a′″ from the corresponding body panel  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 . 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , rotation out of the MD/CD plane by side panels  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  rotation when edge f is adhered to edge e provides the ends of the resulting container  54   a  formed by adjacent side panels  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 / 38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  to fold nearly flat (i.e. substantially planar or even planar). Having an end of the resulting container  54   a  formed by corresponding adjacent side panels  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 / 38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  that can fold essentially flat facilitates the packaging of multiple resulting containers  54   a  as well as facilitating the ability to provide adjacent resulting containers  54   a  in a closest-packing orientation that maximizes the number of resulting containers  54   a  in a given amount of shelf space. 
     It was surprisingly found that providing carton blank  10   a  with regions  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82  bounded by corresponding arcuate score lines a/a″, a′/a′″ can minimize any effects resulting from the rotation of each side panel  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 / 38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  46  to about an axis formed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of each region  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82  bounded by corresponding arcuate score lines a/a″, a′/a′″ from the corresponding body panel  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 . It is believed that such rotation may cause the material comprising carton blank  10   a  to deform or even buckle in the area proximate to the rotation due to induced material stresses. Such deformation in the container  54   a  can negatively impact the perception of the container  54   a  by a consumer desiring to purchase a container  54   a  containing an article of manufacture. Defects in the packaging of articles of manufacture are known to cause consumers to believe that defective packaging can imply that the article of manufacture is also damaged or poorly manufactured. Additionally, having two ends of the resulting container  54   a  formed by adjacent side panels  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 / 38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  that can fold essentially flat facilitates the packaging of multiple resulting containers  54   a  as well as facilitating the ability to provide adjacent resulting containers  54   a  in a closest-packing orientation that maximizes the number of resulting containers  54   a  in a given amount of shelf space. 
     Returning again to  FIG. 4 , top and bottom edges of the carton blank  10   a  include outwardly rounded edges (or segments) with quasi-alternating linear edges (or segments). Left side edge e and right side edge f are vertical and straight and parallel with the CD. Edge f is interrupted by shapes that form three closure tabs: first closure tab f 1 , second closure tab f 2 , and third closure tab f 3 . When forming the resulting container  54   a , first closure tab f 1 , second closure tab f 2 , and third closure tab  13  can be adhered to body panel  22  proximate to edge e by any means known to those of skill in the art. When first closure tab f 1 , second closure tab  12 , and third closure tab  13  are adhered to body panel  22 , it was found suitable to provide an additional score line g that facilitates folding of the edge-adhered carton blank  10   a  into a flattened condition for shipping due to the odd number of body panels used to form resulting container  54   a.    
     A plurality of arch-shaped fold lines (b/c and b′/c′) are arranged along both edges with the arch-shaped fold lines along the bottom (b′/c′) of carton blank  10   a  being symmetrical with the arch-shaped fold lines disposed along the top (b/c) of carton blank  10   a . Preferably, the arch-shaped fold lines along the bottom (b′/c′) of carton blank  10   a  are aligned with the arch-shaped fold lines along the top (b/c) of carton blank  10   a . The arches are arranged side-by-side and the arch-shaped fold lines (b/c and b′/c′) which represent the sides of the arches terminate along each edge at a valley disposed between adjacent arches formed by the outwardly rounded edges and quasi-alternating linear edges. Each arch shaped fold line (b/c and b′/c′) terminates at a vertex formed by the intersection of the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d and arcuate score lines a/a″, a′/a′″. All dotted lines which represent the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d in  FIG. 4  are creased in order to aid in the folding of carton blank  10   a  and the formation of resulting container  54   a , so that the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d are encouraged to fold in the opposite direction from the arch-shaped fold lines (b/c and b′/c′). 
     The extensions of the parallel extending score lines d may be described more specifically regarding the arch shapes that appear along the top and bottom edges of the carton blank  10   a  shown in  FIG. 4 . Extensions of the parallel extending score lines d are each disposed between an apex of an arch shape forming the top and bottom edges of carton blank  10   a  and the intersection formed by arch shaped fold lines (b/c and b′/c′) of adjacent body panels and adjacent corresponding arcuate score lines a/a″, a′/a′″ disposed upon adjacent body panels. While other fold lines may be pre-creased, the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d are preferably perforated to provide an inward bias to the folding of each recess formed by adjacent corresponding arcuate score lines a/a″, a′/a′″ and adjacent arch shaped fold lines b/c, b′/c′. Further clarity will be given to the invention with regard to the arch shapes of carton blank  10   a  infra. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the folded resulting container  54   a  is shown with body panels and side panels disposed in their intended final configuration. As can be seen, one side panel is rotated about an arcuate score line a separating each side panel  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  from the corresponding body panel  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 . Concurrently with such rotation, each side panel  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  is folded about corresponding arch-shaped fold lines b, c and forms an apex between adjacent side panels  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  consistent with the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d that separates adjacent body panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 . As shown, the resulting folds produce an end of resulting container  54   a  that resembles a plurality of pie-shaped triangular sections that are bounded by arch-shaped fold lines b, c, arcuate score line a, and a portion of the top edge of carton blank  10   a . Naturally, the bottom portion of carton blank  10   a  can form an end similar to that described supra to resemble a plurality of pie-shaped triangular sections that are bounded by arch-shaped fold lines b′, c′, arcuate score line a′, and a portion of the bottom edge of carton blank  10   a.    
     The finally resulting container  54   a  can then be closed and held in a closed manner with sealing means  56 . The sealing means  56  may comprise any sealing means known to those of skill in the art for retaining relevant portions of the finally formed resulting container  54   a  in fixed relation to each other. By way of non-limiting example, sealing means  56  may comprise glue disposed at the intersection of all folded side panels, a tape strip disposed upon the surface forming the side of resulting container  54   a  and contacting each side panel forming the end of resulting container  54   a , a locking tab  90  that engages at least two portions of the sides forming resulting container  54   a , and the like. Similarly, locking tabs  90  can be included upon portions of the top and bottom edges forming carton blank  10   a . These tabs can then be resultingly disposed in a face-to-face relationship upon the folding described supra that results in the formation of an end of resulting container  54   a . Depositing an adhesive or other substance upon opposed portions of the tabs can then fixably position each pie-shaped portion of the end of resulting container  54   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , a preferred embodiment of the carton blank  10   a  forms a resulting container  54   a  suitable for storing articles therein. Exemplary, but non-liming, articles include consumer products. Such consumer products can be edible or non-edible. Edible consumer products can include candy, snack products, such as snack chips, pretzels, and the like. Non-edible products can include, but are not limited to, tissue products, facial tissues, paper toweling, bath tissue, hardware, combinations thereof, and the like. In order to facilitate removal of products disposed within resulting container  54   a , access panel  50  may be disposed upon at least one body panel of the carton blank  10 . The access panel  50  may be formed by perforations in order to facilitate its removal from the finally formed resulting container  54   a . One or more finger grip region  52  may be formed in concert with access panel  50  in order to facilitate gripping of the access panel  50  and removal of access panel  50  from resulting container  54   a.    
     A plurality of resulting containers  54   a  can be co-packaged or co-wrapped with other resulting containers  54   a  to provide for a package containing several resulting containers. This has been found to provide a convenient means for a consumer to obtain several resulting containers  54   a  containing similar products therein without the inconvenience of having to handle several individual resulting containers  54   a . Such a co-packaging or co-wrapping execution can use a polymeric film or other suitable bundling means any machinery known to those of skill in the art to bulk wrap several resulting container  54   a  together. 
     As discussed supra, it should also be realized by one of skill in the art that the resulting container  54   a  can be creatively decorated with indicium or indicia that coordinate the outer surface of the resulting container defined by body panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  with the pie-shaped triangular sections forming the ends of resulting container  54   a  and being substantially bounded by two of the plurality of straight vertical lines d, d′ and one of the second plurality of arch-shaped fold lines a, a′. By way of non-limiting example the container portion defined by body panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  could be provided as a representative fruit, cookie, berry, nut, and the like. Accordingly, the pie-shaped triangular sections forming the ends of resulting container  54   a  could be coordinatingly decorated to represent a portion, or slice, of a pie containing the fruit, cookie, berry, or nut, or can represent a cross-sectional view of the fruit, cookie, berry, or nut. Clearly, there are an innumerable number of suitable coordinated designs for use with the instantly disclosed container. For example, if the resulting container  54  is envisioned to hold candy therein, body panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  could be decorated with a design representing a perspective view of a jar containing the candy. The pie-shaped triangular sections forming the ends of resulting container  54   a  could be designed to represent a cross-sectional view of such a container. 
       FIGS. 7-9  provide an alternative embodiment for the present invention. The body portion and the end walls forming a container  154  proper may be assembled from a single carton blank  100  of paperboard material which has been suitably cut and scored as shown. It should be understood that a container having at least three side walls can be produced from the disclosure of the present embodiment. However, it is preferred that a container  154  is preferably provided with at least five side walls. A yet more preferred embodiment of a container  154  is provided with at least six side walls. 
     As shown, the unfolded carton blank  100  is provided with a plurality of parallel extending score lines d defining body panel segments. Each of the plurality of parallel extending score lines d are parallel to the CD. However, the plurality of parallel extending score lines d can be oriented in any direction necessary to form each of the body panel portions shown. In the exemplary embodiment shown, carton blank  10  is provided with five parallel extending score lines d. Each body panel is bounded by an adjacent pair of the parallel extending score lines d. Thus, a first pair of parallel extending score lines d form first body panel  114 . A second pair of parallel extending score lines d form second body panel  116 . Likewise a third  118 , fourth  120 , fifth  122 , and sixth body panel  124  are formed by succeeding adjacent parallel extending score lines d with sixth body panel  124  having left side edge e forming the outer edge of the panel. However, one of skill in the art will realize that any number of parallel extending score lines d can be provided so as to obtain a resulting container having a cross-section of any desired arcuate or polygonal contour. The parallel extending score lines d are preferably disposed generally parallel to the CD. In the embodiment shown, each of the body panels  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  are disposed collectively elongate in the MD. 
     In a preferred embodiment side panels are disposed adjacent to each body panel  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  of carton blank  100 . In the embodiment shown, a first side panel of a particular body panel is disposed at a first end of the body panel on the longitudinal axis (e.g., in the embodiment shown along the CD) of the body panel. If so desired, one of skill in the art will realize that a second side panel can be disposed on the longitudinal axis of the body panel and distal from the first side panel. Each side panel could be defined as an extension of the respective body panel and defining the CD edge of the respective body panel. 
     In other words, each side panel is bounded by extensions of the parallel extending score lines d, the top and bottom MD edges forming the boundaries of carton blank  10 , and arcuate score lines a that are disposed generally parallel to the MD and extend archingly across each body panel forming carton blank  100 . By way of non-limiting example, first side panel  126  is disposed upon one end of first body panel  114 . Naturally, second side panel  128  is disposed upon one end of second body panel  116  adjacent first side panel  126 , third side panel  130  is disposed upon one end of third body panel  118  adjacent second side panel  128 , fourth side panel  132  is disposed upon one end of fourth body panel  120  adjacent third side panel  130 , fifth side panel  134  is disposed upon one end of fifth body panel  122  adjacent fourth side panel  134 , and sixth side panel  136  and is disposed upon one end of sixth body panel  124  adjacent fifth side panel  134 . Each side panel  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  is bounded and separated from the corresponding body panel  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  by regions  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170  that are each bounded by arcuate score lines a, a″. One of skill in the art will realize that if carton blank  100  is provided with a second plurality of side panels (not shown) disposed adjacent body panels  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  and distal side panels  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 , the second plurality of side panels (not shown) may also be separated from body panels  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  by regions bounded by corresponding arcuate score lines a, a″. 
     It was surprisingly found that each region  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170  bounded by arcuate score lines a, a″ can facilitate a Z-direction rotation (i.e., a rotation out of the MD/CD plane of the carton blank  10 ) of each side panel  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  about an axis formed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of reach region  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170  bounded by the arcuate score lines a, a″ from the corresponding body panel  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 . As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , rotation out of the MD/CD plane by side panels  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  rotation when edge f is adhered to edge e provides the end (or ends if side panels are provided on distal ends of each body panel  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ) of the resulting container  154  formed by adjacent side panels  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  to fold nearly flat (i.e. substantially planar or even planar). Having an end of the resulting container  154  formed by adjacent side panels  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  that can fold essentially flat facilitates the packaging of multiple resulting containers  154  as well as facilitating the ability to provide adjacent resulting containers  154  in a closest-packing orientation that maximizes the number of resulting containers  154  in a given amount of shelf space. 
     It was surprisingly found that providing carton blank  100  with regions  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170  bounded by the arcuate score lines a, a″ can minimize any effects resulting from the rotation of each side panel  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  about an axis formed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of reach region  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170  bounded by the arcuate score lines a, a″ from the corresponding body panel  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 . It is believed that such rotation may cause the material comprising carton blank  100  to deform or even buckle in the area proximate to the rotation due to induced material stresses. Such deformation in the container  154  can negatively impact the perception of the container  154  by a consumer desiring to purchase a container  154  containing an article of manufacture. Defects in the packaging of articles of manufacture are known to cause consumers to believe that defective packaging can imply that the article of manufacture is also damaged or poorly manufactured. 
     The top edge of the carton blank  100  includes outwardly rounded edges with quasi-alternating linear edges. Left side edge e and right side edge f are vertical and straight. Edge f is interrupted by shapes that form two closure tabs: first closure tab f 1  and second closure tab f 2 . 
     A plurality of arch-shaped fold lines (b/c) are arranged along the top edge (or along both edges if a plurality of side panels are disposed adjacent body panels  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  and distal side panels  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 ). In an embodiment where side panels are disposed upon distal ends of body panels  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  the arch-shaped fold lines provided along the bottom edge of carton blank  100  should be provided to be symmetrical and aligned with the arch-shaped fold lines b/c disposed along the top of carton blank  100 . 
     Preferably, the arches formed by arch-shaped fold lines b/c are arranged to be side-by-side. Further, the arch-shaped fold lines b/c which represent the sides of the arches terminate along each edge at a valley disposed between adjacent arches formed by the outwardly rounded edges and quasi-alternating linear edges. Each arch shaped fold line b/c terminates at a vertex formed by the intersection of the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d and arcuate score lines a. All dotted lines which represent the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d in  FIG. 7  are creased in order to aid in the folding of carton blank  100  and the formation of resulting container  154 , so that the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d are encouraged to fold in the opposite direction from the arch-shaped fold lines b/c. 
     The extensions of the parallel extending score lines d may be described more specifically regarding the arch shapes that appear along the top and bottom edges of the carton blank  100  shown in  FIG. 7 . Extensions of the parallel extending score lines d are each disposed between an apex of an arch shape forming the top and bottom edges of carton blank  100  and the intersection formed by arch shaped fold lines b/c of adjacent body panels and adjacent arcuate score lines a disposed upon adjacent body panels. While other fold lines may be pre-creased, the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d are preferably perforated to provide an inward bias to the folding of each recess formed by adjacent arcuate score lines a and adjacent arch shaped fold lines b/c. Further clarity will be given to the invention with regard to the arch shapes of carton blank  100  infra. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , the folded resulting container  154  is shown with body panels  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  and side panels  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  disposed in their intended final configuration. As can be seen, one side panel is rotated about an axis comprising arcuate score lines a, a″ forming regions  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170  that separate each side panel  126 ,  18 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  from the corresponding body panel  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 . Concurrently with such rotation, each side panel  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  is folded about corresponding arch-shaped fold lines b, c and forms an apex between adjacent side panels  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  consistent with the extensions of the parallel extending score lines d that separates adjacent body panels  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 . As shown, the resulting folds produce an end of resulting container  154  that resembles a plurality of pie-shaped triangular sections that are bounded by arch-shaped fold lines b, c, arcuate score line a, and a portion of the top edge of carton blank  100 . Regions  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170  bounded by arcuate score lines a, a″ form a plurality of facets disposed upon container  154 . Naturally, the bottom portion of carton blank  100  can form an end similar to that described supra to resemble a plurality of pie-shaped triangular sections that are bounded by arch-shaped fold lines, an arcuate score line, and a portion of the bottom edge of carton blank  100 . 
     The finally resulting container  154  can then be closed and held in a closed manner with sealing means  156  described supra. Alternatively, no sealing means may be disposed upon container  154 . Access to the contents disposed within container  154  can be achieved by reversibly opening and closing the side panel of container  154  formed by the plurality of pie-shaped triangular sections fold lines, an arcuate score line, and a portion of the bottom edge of carton blank  100 . In this instance, the side panel would be opened by rotating the components forming the side panel of container  154  (i.e., side panels  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  and regions  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170  back into plane with the corresponding body panel  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 . 
     Alternatively, an access panel (not shown) may (not shown) may be formed by perforations in order to facilitate its removal from the finally formed resulting container  154 . One or more finger grip regions (not shown) may be formed in concert with access panel (not shown) in order to facilitate gripping of the access panel (not shown) and removal of access panel (not shown) from resulting container  154 . Further, a plurality of resulting containers  154  can be co-packaged or co-wrapped with other resulting containers  154  to provide for a package containing several resulting containers as discussed supra. Additionally, the resulting container  154  can be creatively decorated with indicium or indicia as described supra. 
       FIGS. 7-9  provide yet another exemplary unfolded carton blank  200  of another embodiment of the present invention. The body portion and the end walls forming a container proper may be assembled from a single blank of paperboard material which has been suitably cut and scored as shown. It should be understood that a container having at least five side walls and preferably at least six side walls. 
     The carton blank  200  provides for a plurality of side walls  216 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228  that extend between the top panel  218  and bottom panel  214 . Overlapping panels  234 ,  244  can be adhesively or otherwise mechanically connected to side walls  228  and  220  respectively in order to form a finally foamed container  260 . Top panel  218  and bottom panel  214  in the exemplary embodiment are provided in a hexagonal configuration the periphery of which is formed from line segments wherein each line segment corresponds to the ends of a corresponding side panel. By way of example, line segment p disposed on the periphery of top panel  218  and line segment s disposed on the periphery of bottom panel  214  correspond to the top and bottom line segments forming side wall  224 . Similarly, line segment q disposed on the periphery of top panel  218  and line segment r disposed on the periphery of bottom panel  214  correspond to the top and bottom line segments forming side wall  216 . 
     When the portions of carton blank  200  separated by the axis comprising line segment p are rotated in the Z-direction about the axis comprising line segment p, corner portions  238 ,  248  are preferably deflected in the direction of rotation. This is because the corner portions  238 ,  248  are preferably provided with score lines that traverse the height of an isosceles triangle formed between top portion  218  and one edge forming side wall  226  and sidewall  222  respectively. As the material of carton blank  200  disposed upon one side of the axis comprising line segment p is rotated about the axis comprising line segment p toward the material of carton blank  200  disposed upon the adjacent side of the axis comprising line segment p, the score line traversing the height of corner portion  238  deflects toward the material rotating about the axis comprising line segment p. Similarly, as the material of carton blank  200  disposed upon one side of the axis comprising line segment p is rotated about the axis comprising line segment p toward the material of carton blank  200  disposed upon the adjacent side of the axis comprising line segment p, the score line traversing the height of corner portion  248  deflects toward the material of carton blank  200  rotating about the axis comprising line segment p. 
     Likewise the corner portions  246 ,  236  deflect generally in a direction toward the material of carton blank  200  disposed on either side of the axis comprising line segment q during rotation of the material disposed upon either side of the axis comprising line segment q about the axis comprising line segment q. Corner portions  242 ,  232  deflect generally in a direction toward the material of carton blank  200  disposed on either side of the axis comprising line segment r during rotation of the material disposed upon either side of the axis comprising line segment r about the axis comprising line segment r. Further, corner portions  240 ,  230  deflect generally in a direction toward the material of carton blank  200  disposed on either side of the axis comprising line segment s during rotation of the material disposed upon either side of the axis comprising line segment sr about the axis comprising line segment s. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , scallop regions  254 ,  256 ,  258 ,  260 ,  262 , and  264  are preferably formed by arcuate score lines t, u disposed in corresponding and adjacent side panels. By way of non-limiting example arcuate score line u bounding body panel  224  and arcuate score line t bounding body panel  222  form scallop region  262 . Similarly, arcuate score line u bounding body panel  222  and arcuate score line t bounding body panel  220  form scallop region  264 , and so on. 
     Thus, concurrent with the rotation of the material of carton blank  200  disposed upon one side of the axis comprising line segment p about the axis comprising line segment p toward the material of carton blank  200  disposed upon the adjacent side of the axis comprising line segment p and the movement of the score line traversing the height of corner portion  248  toward the material of carton blank  200  rotating about the axis comprising line segment p, score lines t, u forming scallop region  262  rotate out of plane thereby causing body panel  222  to rotate relative to body panel  224 . Scallop region  262  is finally disposed in a plane intermediate the intersection of the planes formed by body panel  222  and body panel  224 . In a similar manner, scallop region  260  is formed and disposed in a plane intermediate the intersection of body panel  224  and body panel  226 , and so on. 
     Edge f is interrupted by shapes  212  that form three closure tabs: first closure tab f 1 , second closure tab f 2 , and third closure tab f 3 . After the formation of a finally resulting container  254  from carton blank  200 , each of first closure tab f 1 , second closure tab f 2 , and third closure tab f 3  can be fixably, or even removeably attached to side panel  222 , side panel  224 , and side panel  226  respectively. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10-12 , access panel  250  is preferably disposed within top portion  218 . However, one of skill in the art would readily realize that an access panel could also be disposed within bottom portion  214 . Optionally, one of skill in the art could dispose an access panel  250  in both top portion  218  and bottom portion  214  to enable dispensing of product dispose within finally formed container  254  from either end of finally formed container  254 . Finger grip region  252  can be formed within container blank  200  as a portion of access panel  250  or as part of top portion  218  to enable removal of access panel  250  from the finally formed container  254  to provide access to any product contained within finally formed container  254 . 
     The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact dimensions and values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension and/or value is intended to mean both the recited dimension and/or value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that dimension and/or value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”. 
     All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.