Abstract:
The embodiments of the present invention provide a blank of foldable material configurable to form a container. When formed, the container includes a viewing section formed in a front panel. Likewise, the side panel and rear panel assemblies have both inner and outer panel configurations. The side panel assemblies include at least one intermediate partial side panel as well. The multi-panel side and rear panel assemblies give strength and stability to the container. The container may be partially machine erected, machine erected, or hand set.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to cellulose-based blanks and containers and more specifically to wood cellulose-based blanks and containers used for storing and displaying goods. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following FIGURES. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a single piece container blank formed in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a partially assembled container assembled according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is another perspective view of a partially assembled container assembled according to yet another aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is yet another perspective view of a partially assembled container assembled according to a further aspect of the present invention; and, 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a partially assembled container assembled according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is another perspective view of a partially assembled container assembled according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the assembled container blank of  FIG. 1 , and; 
       FIG. 8  is a plan view of another embodiment of a single piece container blank formed in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present invention provides a blank and resulting container for storing and displaying a variety of goods. By way of overview, and with reference to the  FIGS. 1 through 8 , various embodiments of the present invention include a single piece blank  20  of formable material arranged to form a container  60 . Specific details of the blank  20  and container  60  are described in more particularity below. 
     FIG. 1  depicts a blank  20  used to form container  60 . The blank  20  is preferably constructed from a single piece of formable material such as, without limitation, sheets of cellulose-based materials formed from cellulose materials such as wood pulp, straw, cotton, bagasse or the like. Cellulose-based materials used in this present invention come in many forms such as fiberboard, containerboard, corrugated containerboard, and paperboard. The blank  20  is cut and scored, perforated or otherwise formed to include a plurality of panels that when assembled form container  60 . In all FIGURES, like numbers indicate like parts. Additionally, cut lines are shown as solid lines, score lines as dashed lines, and lines of perforation as broken lines. 
     FIG. 1  depicts the blank  20  made in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The blank  20  includes a front panel  22 . Opposed fold lines  21 , fold line  47  and cut line  43 , bound the front panel  22 . Cut line  43  provides a viewing section once the container  60  is fully erected. The front panel  22  is either typically square or rectangular with a cutout portion formed in an edge such that a viewing section is formed in the front panel  22 . Connected with the front panel  22  along fold line  47  is a first outer bottom panel  28 . 
   Connected with the front panel  22  along the opposed fold lines  21  are outer side panels  24 . The outer side panels  24  are bounded by opposed fold lines  21  and  23 , and opposed fold lines  25  and  27 . Fold lines  25  are actually a pair of spaced apart fold lines that allow for fold over assembly with a relatively small panel positioned between spaced apart fold lines  25 . Connected with the outer side panel  24  along the spaced apart fold lines  25  is an inner side panel  38 . Further, connected with the outer side panel along fold line  27  is an inner bottom panel  32 . Inner bottom panel  32  included inner bottom panel slot  50 . 
   Connected with one of the outer side panels  24  along fold line  23  is an outer rear panel  26 . Outer rear panel  26  is bounded by opposed fold lines  23  and  29  and opposed fold lines  31  and  33 . Connected with the outer rear panel  26  along fold line  33  is a second outer bottom panel  34 . The second outer bottom panel  34  includes second outer bottom panel slots  46 . Connected with the outer rear panel  26  along fold line  31  is inner rear panel  36 . The inner rear panel includes inner rear panel tabs  44 . Connected with the outer rear panel  26  along fold line  29  is manufacture&#39;s joint panel  30 . 
   Connected with the inner side panel  38  along another pair of spaced apart fold lines  35  is a first partial side panel  40 . Connected with the first partial side panel  40  along a fold line  37  is a second partial side panel  42 . 
     FIGS. 2-7  depict the erection of the blank  20  into container  60 . Specifically, the blank  20  is folded over such that the manufacture&#39;s joint panel  30  is juxtaposed a portion of an outer side panel  24 . Adhesives or mechanical fasteners such as, without limitation, staples, then join these respective panels together. It will be appreciated that this may be done on a conventional box folder/gluer or by hand. At this stage, the container  60  is in it&#39;s knocked down configuration. 
   It will be appreciated that the blank  20  may be sent to a customer as a blank  20 , partially formed, knocked down container, or a fully formed container  60 . If space is not an issue, sending the blank  20  or container  60  to customer may be desired. However, where space is a premium, sending the container  60  in its knocked down form as depicted in  FIG. 2  is available. 
   In any event, the container may be fully erected from the knocked down state by hand whenever desired. A general overview of the folding sequence to form the container  60  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3-7 . Those skilled in the art are capable of understanding the illustrated folding sequence as one possible sequence to reach the erect container  60 , and as such, any specific sequence need not be discussed in detail to understand the invention. 
   As mentioned above, it will be appreciated that as these various panels may be held in place by any variety of fastening means known in the industry. Suitable, non limiting examples of such fasteners includes glue or other adhesive, tape, staples or combinations thereof. As fasteners are known in the industry, a detailed description is not necessary herein. 
     FIG. 8  depicts a blank  20  included an additional embodiment. Specifically, this version includes all the same features as disclosed above with the exception that a hand-set locking mechanism is used in place of the manufactures joint disclosed above. In this manner, then entire container  60  may be formed by hand. This version replaces the single manufacture&#39;s joint panel  30  with a pair of manufacture joint panels  30  configured with interlocking tab&#39;s and slots. 
   A variety of additional elements may be included, such as, without limitation, vents, specialized liners or grease barriers, etc., without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Similarly, rounding or otherwise trimming of various panels is considered within the scope of this invention. 
   While various embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.