Patent Publication Number: US-2023159216-A1

Title: Container Blank

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Containers for packaging articles of manufacture are indispensable in the present consumer-oriented society. Virtually all articles of manufacture necessitate convenient methods of bundling, transporting, storing, and displaying. As a result, the majority of articles of manufacture come packaged in one form or another of a container. 
     One of the primary objects of our increasingly service oriented economy is providing convenience to the consumer. In the packaging industry, this translates into providing effective, inexpensive, and flexible containers. A container further needs to be suitable for packaging, transporting, and storing the article of manufacture. Additionally, the container needs to be capable of protecting the article of manufacture from damage. 
     To accomplish these needs, a container may be solid, easy to stack, easily assembled or disassembled, and may contain, in addition to the base structure of the container itself, additional packaging materials to stabilize the article of manufacture and prevent its movement within the container. Furthermore, consumer information pamphlets relating to the article of manufacture may be housed within the container. 
     Such containers, however, can become inconvenient to the consumer following removal of the article of manufacture from the container. Most consumers look to dispose of the container, as well as any accompanying stabilizing packaging materials, information pamphlets, etc., whether as waste or as a recyclable material or place the container into storage for future usage. While a container can be disassembled from the container configuration and placed into a flat configuration, problems can arise in that the flat configuration may be an awkward size, cumbersome, have loose materials (such as the stabilizing packaging materials, information pamphlets, etc), and, if there is more than one disassembled container, be difficult to stack and group together in a flat configuration. Such problems can create difficulties for the consumer in relocating the disassembled container, or stack of containers, and any accompanying materials, from point A, the location of unpacking the article of manufacture, to point B, the location for storage or disposal as waste or as a recyclable material. Cumbersome and awkward materials may require the consumer to make multiple trips from point A to point B or the loose materials forming the container(s) and any accompanying packaging materials may separate from each other and scatter into disarray. 
     There remains a need for a container that can be disassembled from the container configuration and re-assembled into a smaller folded configuration that allows for improved handling by the consumer to another location for either storage or disposal. There remains a need for a container that can, in the flat configuration, providing housing to any accompanying packaging materials that were present in the container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In various embodiments, a container blank can have foldable sheet material; a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction; a first major panel hingedly connected in the longitudinal direction to each of a first end wall and an opposing second end wall and hingedly connected in the transverse direction to each of a first side wall and an opposing second side wall; the first end wall is hingedly connected in the longitudinal direction to a first end reinforcing wall and the second end wall is hingedly connected in the longitudinal direction to a second end reinforcing wall; the first side wall is hingedly connected in the transverse direction to a first side reinforcing wall and the second side wall is hingedly connected in the transverse direction to a second major panel; the second major panel is hingedly connected in the transverse direction to a closure panel; and a folded configuration wherein a first portion of the first side reinforcing wall is in an overlapping configuration with a first portion of the second side wall and a second portion of the first side reinforcing wall is in an overlapping configuration with a portion of the first major panel; the closure panel is in an overlapping configuration with the first sidewall; and a first portion of the second major panel is in an overlapping configuration with a second portion of the second side wall and a second portion of the second major panel is in an overlapping configuration with the first reinforcing wall. 
     In various embodiments, in the folded configuration, the first end reinforcing wall is in an overlapping configuration with the first end wall and the second end reinforcing wall is in an overlapping configuration with the second end wall. In various embodiments, in the folded configuration, the first side wall is hingedly connected in the longitudinal direction to each of a first end tab of the first side wall and an opposing second end tab of the first side wall wherein the first end tab of the first side wall is in an overlapping configuration with a portion of the first end reinforcing wall and the second end tab of the first side wall is in an overlapping configuration with a portion of the second end reinforcing wall. In various embodiments, the second major panel is hingedly connected in the longitudinal direction to a first end tab of the second major panel and an opposing second end tab of the second major panel. In various embodiments, in the folded configuration, a portion of the first end tab of the second major panel is located between a portion of the first end wall and a portion of the first end reinforcing wall and wherein in the folded configuration a portion of the second end tab of the second major panel is located between a portion of the second end wall and a portion of the second end reinforcing wall. In various embodiments, the first end reinforcing wall has an edge extending in the longitudinal direction and aligned with the hinge connecting the first major panel to the second side wall wherein the edge of the first end reinforcing wall has a notch. In various embodiments, the second end reinforcing wall has an edge extending in the longitudinal direction and aligned with the hinge connecting the first major panel to the second side wall wherein the edge of the second end reinforcing wall has a notch. In various embodiments, at least one of the first end tab of the second major panel or the second end tab of the second major panel defines an opening. 
     In various embodiments, the first major panel has a first width dimension in the transverse direction, the second major panel has a second width dimension in the transverse direction, the first side wall has a third width dimension in the transverse direction, the first reinforcing side wall has a fourth width dimension in the transverse direction, and the second side wall has a fifth width dimension in the transverse direction, wherein the first width dimension and the second with dimension are the same, and wherein the third width dimension, the fourth width dimension, and the fifth width dimension are the same as each other, but wherein the third width dimension, fourth width dimension, and fifth width dimension are less than the first width dimension and the second width dimension. In various embodiments, the third width dimension, the fourth width dimension, and the fifth width dimension are each two-thirds of the first width dimension and the second width dimension. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container. 
         FIG.  2    is a plan view of an illustration of an embodiment of a container blank for forming the container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIGS.  3 - 5    are plan views of illustrations of the container blank of  FIG.  2    with various portions of the container blank folded into overlapping configurations. 
         FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  are plan views of illustrations of embodiments of the container blank of  FIG.  2    in a folded and locked configuration. 
         FIG.  6 C  is a close-up view of a portion of the container blank of  FIG.  6 A . 
         FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  are plan views of illustrations of embodiments of the container blank of  FIG.  2    in a folded and locked configuration. 
         FIG.  8    is a plan view of an illustration of an embodiment of a container blank for forming a container. 
         FIG.  9    is a plan view of an illustration of the container blank of  FIG.  8    with portions folded into an overlapping configuration. 
     
    
    
     Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure is directed towards a container blank which can be utilized to form a container capable of packaging, transporting, and/or storing any type of article of manufacture placed within the container. Furthermore, following removal of the article of manufacture from the container, the container can be disassembled from the container configuration and back into the planar container blank configuration. The planar container blank configuration can then be assembled into a folded configuration that is different from the container configuration and which is smaller and generally flat to allow for either storage or disposable of the container blank. Such a smaller and generally flat configuration may not allow for the storage of an article of manufacture within such a configuration but may allow for the storage/carriage/disposal of the container blank and any accompanying packaging materials, information pamphlets, etc. 
       FIG.  1    provides an illustration of an embodiment of a container  220 . The container  220  can be formed from a container blank  10 , such as, for example, illustrated in the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS.  2 - 9   . The container  220  is illustrated in an open and empty configuration. Such an open and empty configuration can be present either prior to the placement of an article of manufacture into the container  220  or after the removal of an article of manufacture from the container  220 . 
     The container  220  can have a first major panel  12 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the first major panel  12  can have a first major surface  14  facing the interior volume of the container  220 . 
     The first major panel  12  can be planar and can extend in the longitudinal direction (L) and the transverse direction (T) of the container  220 . In the longitudinal direction (L) of the container  220 , the first major panel  12  can be hingedly connected to a first end wall  20  and a second end wall  40 . Referring to  FIG.  1   , the first end wall  20  and the second end wall  40  are parallel to each other, the first end wall  20  extends from fold  28  and is perpendicular to the first major panel  12 , and the second end wall  40  extends from fold  48  and is also perpendicular to the first major panel  12 . The first end wall  20  can further, in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container  220 , be hingedly connected to a first end reinforcing wall  30 . In the container configuration, such as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , a fold  38  can cause the first end reinforcing wall  30  to fold downwards into the interior of the container  220  wherein the first end reinforcing wall  30  is also perpendicular to the first major panel  12  of the container  220 . In the container configuration, the first end reinforcing wall  30  has a first major surface  34  in a face-to-face relationship with a first major surface  24  of the first end wall  20 . The first end reinforcing wall  30  has a second major surface  36  facing the interior volume of the container  220  while the first end wall  20  has a second major surface  26  facing exterior to the container  220 . The first end wall  20 , therefore, is an exterior facing wall of the container  220  while the first end reinforcing wall  30  is an interior facing wall of the container  220 . The second end wall  40  can further, in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container  220 , be hingedly connected to a second end reinforcing wall  50 . In the container configuration, such as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , a fold  58  can cause the second end reinforcing wall  50  to fold downwards into the interior of the container  220  wherein the second end reinforcing wall  50  is also perpendicular to the first major panel  12  of the container  220 . In the container configuration, the second end reinforcing wall  50  has a first major surface  54  in a face-to-face relationship with a first major surface  44  of the second end wall  40 . The second end reinforcing wall  50  has a second major surface  56  facing the interior volume of the container  220  while the second end wall  40  has a second major surface  46  facing exterior to the container  220 . The second end wall  40 , therefore, is an exterior facing wall of the container  220  while the second end reinforcing wall  50  is an interior facing wall of the container  220 . 
     In the transverse direction (T) of the container  220 , the first major panel  12  can be hingedly connected to a first side wall  60  and a second side wall  90 . Referring to  FIG.  1   , the first side wall  60  and the second side wall  90  are parallel to each other, the first side wall  60  extends from fold  68  and is perpendicular to the first major panel  12 , and the second side wall  90  extends from fold  96  and is also perpendicular to the first major panel  12 . The first side wall  60  can further, in the transverse direction (T) of the container  220 , be hingedly connected to a first side reinforcing wall  70 . In the container configuration, such as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , a fold  78  can cause the first side reinforcing wall  70  to fold downwards into the interior of the container  220  wherein the first side reinforcing wall  70  is also perpendicular to the first major panel  12  of the container  220 . In the container configuration, the first side reinforcing wall  70  has a first major surface  74  in a face-to-face relationship with a first major surface  64  of the first side wall  60 . The first side reinforcing wall  70  has a second major surface  76  facing the interior volume of the container  220  while the first side wall  60  has a second major surface  66  facing exterior to the container  220 . The first side wall  60 , therefore, is an exterior facing wall of the container  220  while the first side reinforcing wall  70  is an interior facing wall of the container  220 . 
     Unlike each of the first end wall  20 , second end wall  40 , and first side wall  60 , the second side wall  90  is not hingedly connected to a reinforcing wall. Rather, the second side wall  90  can, in the transverse direction (T) of the container  220 , be hingedly connected to a second major panel  110 . In the container configuration, such as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , a fold  118  can cause the second major panel  110  to fold in either an upwards or downwards direction to either open or close, respectively, the container  220 . The second major panel  110  can, therefore, form the sixth side to fully enclose the interior volume of the container  220 . To assist with enclosing the interior volume of the container  220  and to potentially provide additional stability to the article of manufacture contained within the container  220 , the second major panel  110  can be hingedly connected, in the longitudinal direction (L), to end tab  120  via hinge line  122  and to end tab  130  via hinge line  132 . When the container  220  is in a closed configuration, end tabs,  120  and  130 , can be positioned in the interior volume of the container  220  and abut the first end reinforcing wall  30  and the second end reinforcing wall  50 , respectively. When the container is in a closed configuration the second major panel  110  will be parallel with and spaced apart from the first major panel  12 . Similar to the first major panel  12 , the second major panel  110  will be perpendicular to each of the first end wall  20 , first reinforcing wall  30 , second end wall  40 , second reinforcing wall  50 , first side wall  60 , first side reinforcing wall  70 , and the second side wall  90 . The second major panel  110  can, in the transverse direction (T) be hingedly connected to a closure panel  140 . When the container  220  is in the closed configuration, the closure panel  140  can be in an overlapping configuration with the exterior facing second major surface  66  of the first side wall  60 . 
     In various embodiments, it may be desirable that the container  220  maintain itself in the container configuration. In such embodiments, at least the first side wall  60 , the second side wall  90 , and the closure panel  140  can be provided with end tabs. The first side wall  60  can be hingedly connected, in the longitudinal direction (L), to a first end tab  80  and a second end tab  84 . When the first side wall  60  is positioned perpendicular to the first major panel  12  via fold  68 , the first end tab  80  of the first side wall  60  can be positioned between the first end wall  20  and the first end reinforcing wall  30  while the second end tab  84  of the first side wall  60  can be positioned between the second end wall  40  and the second end reinforcing wall  50 . The second side wall  90  can be hingedly connected, in the longitudinal direction (L), to a first end tab  100  and a second end tab  104 . When the second side wall  90  is positioned perpendicular to the first major panel  12  via fold  96 , the first end tab  100  of the second side wall  90  can be positioned between the first end wall  20  and the first end reinforcing wall  30  while the second end tab  104  of the second side wall  90  can be positioned between the second end wall  40  and the second end reinforcing wall  50 . While first end tabs  80  and  100  are illustrated in  FIG.  1    as not abutting each other when positioned between the first end wall  20  and the first end reinforcing wall  30 , it is to be understood that the first end tabs  80  and  100  can be provided with any size dimension deemed suitable for maintaining the container  220  in the container configuration. Similarly, while the second end tabs  84  and  104  are illustrated in  FIG.  1    as not abutting each other when positioned between the second end wall  40  and the second end reinforcing wall  50 , it is to be understood that the second end tabs  84  and  104  can be provided with any size dimension deemed suitable for maintaining the container  220  in the container configuration. While the end tabs,  80 ,  84 ,  100 , and  104 , may be provided with any dimension deemed suitable for maintaining the container  220  in the container configuration, in various embodiments, the size dimension of each of the end tabs  80 ,  84 ,  100 , and  104 , will likely be small enough so that the first end tabs,  80  and  100 , are not placed into an overlapping configuration with each other when positioned between the first end wall  20  and the first end reinforcing wall  30  and that the second end tabs,  84  and  104 , are also not placed into an overlapping configuration with each other when positioned between the second end wall  40  and the second end reinforcing wall  50 . Such an overlapping configuration may exert pressure on the first and second end reinforcing walls,  30  and  50 , respectively, pushing the first and second end reinforcing walls,  30  and  50 , away from their respective end walls,  20  and  40 , resulting in a decreased ability of the container  220  to maintain the container configuration. 
     The closure panel  140  can be hingedly connected, in the longitudinal direction (L), to first closure tab  150  and second closure tab  154 . When the container  220  is in the closed configuration, the closure panel  140  can be placed into an overlapping configuration with the first side wall  60  of the container  220 . To maintain the container  220  in the closed configuration, the first closure tab  150  can be positioned between the first end wall  20  and the first end reinforcing wall  30  wherein the first closure tab  150  is in an overlapping configuration with the first end tab  80  and the second closure tab  154  can be positioned between the second end wall  40  and the second end reinforcing wall  50  wherein the second closure tab  154  is in an overlapping configuration with the second end tab  84 . While the overlapping configuration of the first closure tab  150  with the first end tab  80  and the overlapping configuration of the second closure tab  154  with the second end tab  84  may exert pressure against the first and second end reinforcing walls,  30  and  50 , respectively, to push the first and second end reinforcing walls,  30  and  50 , away from theft respective end walls,  20  and  40 , the positioning of the first side reinforcing wall  70  can maintain the first and second end reinforcing walls,  30  and  50 , in their correct positioning to maintain the container  220  in the container configuration. 
     When each of the first end wall  20 , first end reinforcing wall  30 , second end wall  40 , second end reinforcing wall  50 , first side wall  60 , first side reinforcing wall  70 , and second side wall  90  are each placed perpendicular to the first major panel  12 , the container  220  can have an overall length dimension in the longitudinal direction (L), an overall width dimension in the transverse direction (T), and an overall height dimension in the depth direction (D). Such length dimension, width dimension, and height dimension can provide the container  220  with the interior volume suitable for receiving an article of manufacture and any other accompanying packaging materials or information pamphlets. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a container blank  10  for forming the container  220  of  FIG.  1    is illustrated wherein the container blank  10  is in a flat, planar, and unfolded configuration. In various embodiments, the container  220  can be formed from a container blank  10  of a foldable sheet material such as paperboard, coated cardboard, corrugated board, or any other appropriate material deemed suitable. The container blank  10  can have a first major panel  12  which has a first major surface  14 . As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the first major panel  12  can be planar and can extend in the longitudinal direction (L) and the transverse direction (T). In the longitudinal direction (L) of the container blank  10 , the first major panel  12  can be hingedly connected via hinge line  22  to a first end wall  20  and via hinge line  42  to a second end wall  40 . When the container blank  10  is assembled into the container  220 , hinge line  22  will form fold  28  and hinge line  42  will form fold  48 . The first end wall  20  can further, in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container blank  10 , be hingedly connected via hinge line  32  to the first end reinforcing wall  30 . When the first end reinforcing wall  30  is folded the hinge line  32  will form fold  38 . The second end wall  40  can further, in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container blank  10 , be hingedly connected via hinge line  52  to the second end reinforcing wall  50 . When the second end reinforcing wall  50  is folded the hinge line  52  will form fold  58 . 
     In the transverse direction (T) of the container blank  10 , the first major panel  12  can be hingedly connected via hinge line  62  to the first side wall  60  and via hinge line  92  to the second side wall  90 . When the first side wall  60  is folded, hinge line  62  will form fold  68  and when the second side wall is folded, hinge line  92  will form fold  96 . The first side wall  60  can further, in the transverse direction (T) of the container blank  10 , be hingedly connected via hinge line  72  to the first side reinforcing wall  70 . When the first side reinforcing wall  70  is folded the hinge line  72  will form fold  78 . The second side wall  90  can, in the transverse direction (T) of the container blank  10 , be hingedly connected via hinge line  112  to the second major panel  110 . When the second major panel  110  is folded the hinge line  112  will form fold  118 . The second major panel  110  can, in the transverse direction (T) be hingedly connected via hinge line  142  to the closure panel  140 . When the closure panel  140  is folded hinge line  142  will form a fold. 
     The first major panel  12  can have a width dimension W 1  in the transverse direction (T) and the second major panel  110  can have a width dimension W 5  in the transverse direction (T) wherein each of width dimension W 1  and width dimension W 5  are the same. The first side wall  60 , the first side reinforcing wall  70 , the second side wall  90  and the closure panel  140  can each have a width dimension, W 2 , W 3 , W 4 , and W 6 , respectively, in the transverse direction (T). Each of the width dimensions, W 2 , W 3 , and W 4 , can be the same. In various embodiments, each of the width dimensions, W 2 , W 3 , and W 4 , can be the same but are smaller than the width dimensions, W 1  and W 5 , of the first major panel  12  and the second major panel  110 , respectively. In various embodiments, the width dimensions, W 2 , W 3 , and W 4 , are two-thirds of the width dimensions, W 1  and W 5 . In various embodiments, the width dimension W 6  of the closure panel  140  can be the same as the width dimension W 2  of the first side wall  60 . In various embodiments, the width dimension W 6  of the closure panel  140  can be smaller than the width dimension W 2  of the first side panel  60 . 
     In various embodiments, it may be desirable to assemble the container blank  10  into a smaller and generally flat folded configuration for storage or transport to a location for disposable.  FIGS.  3 - 5    provide exemplary illustrations of the folding process of converting the larger container blank  10  into a smaller and generally flat folded configuration.  FIG.  3    is a plan view of the container blank  10  wherein the first end reinforcing wall  30  has been folded over and into an overlapping configuration with the first end wall  20  forming fold  38  and placing the first major surface  34  of the first end reinforcing wall  30  into a face-to-face relationship with the first major surface  24  of the first end wall  20 . Additionally, the second end reinforcing wall  50  has been folded over and into an overlapping configuration with the second end wall  40  forming fold  58  and placing the first major surface  54  of the second end reinforcing wall  50  into a face-to-face relationship with the first major surface  44  of the second end wall  40 . Folding the first end reinforcing wall  30  over the first end wall  20  and folding the second end reinforcing wall  50  over the second end wall  40  can reduce the largest length dimension, in the longitudinal direction (L), of the container blank  10 .  FIG.  4    provides an exemplary illustration wherein the first side wall  60  has been folded to form fold  68 . Forming fold  68  repositions the first side wall  60  such that the first major surface  64  of the first side wall  60  is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the first major surface  14  of the first major panel  12  and also repositions the first side reinforcing wall  70  so that a portion of the first major surface  74  of the first side reinforcing wall  70  is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the first major surface  94  of the second side wall  90  and so that another portion of the first major surface  74  of the first side reinforcing wall  70  is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the first major surface  14  of the first major panel  12 . As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , forming fold  68  can reduce the overall width dimension, in the transverse direction (T), of the container blank  10 . Referring to  FIG.  5   , it is illustrated that the overall width dimension, in the transverse direction (T), of the container blank  10  can be further reduced by forming fold  118  and repositioning the second major panel  110  such that a portion of the first major surface  114  of the second major panel  110  is in a face-to-face relationship with the first major surface  94  of the second side wall  90  and a second portion of the first major surface  114  of the second major panel  110  is in a face-to-face relationship with the second major surface  76  of the first side reinforcing wall  70 . Forming fold  118  also brings the closure panel  140  into an overlapping configuration with the first side wall  60  wherein the first major surface  144  of the closure panel  140  is in a face-to-face relationship with the second major surface  66  of the first side wall  60 . Additionally, a portion of the first major surface  124  of end tab  120  is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface  36  of the first end reinforcing wall  30  and a portion of the first major surface  134  of end tab  130  is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface  56  of the second end reinforcing wall  50 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the container blank  10  has been re-assembled into a smaller and generally flat configuration enabling easier storage and/or transport of the container blank  10 . While the container blank  10  has been re-assembled into a more convenient size and shape for the consumer, in various embodiments, it may be desired to lock the container blank  10  into the smaller and generally flat configuration such that it won&#39;t unfold on its own during storage or transport. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6 A,  6 B, and  6 C , an embodiment of an exemplary locked configuration is illustrated. As discussed herein, following the formation of fold  118 , a portion of the first major surface  124  of end tab  120  is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface  36  of the first end reinforcing wall  30  and a portion of the first major surface  134  of end tab  130  is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface  56  of the second end reinforcing wall  50 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  6 A,  6 B, and  6 C , an embodiment of locking the container blank  10  can include repositioning the end tab  120  so that a portion of end tab  120  is sandwiched between the first end wall  20  and the first end reinforcing wall  30  and repositioning the end tab  130  so that a portion of end tab  130  is sandwiched between the second end wall  40  and the second end reinforcing wall  50 . The repositioning of the end tab  120  can occur, for example, by elevating edge  160  of the first end reinforcing wall  30  high enough out of plane to allow for a portion of end tab  120  to go under the first end reinforcing wall  30  and be re-positioned between the first end wall  20  and the first end reinforcing wall  30 . Following this re-positioning of a portion of the end tab  120 , the portion of the first major surface  124  of end tab  120  that was in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface  36  of the first end reinforcing wall  30  will now be in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the first major surface  24  of the first end wall  20  and a portion of the second major surface  126  of the end tab  120  will now be in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the first major surface  34  of the first end reinforcing wall  30 . A close-up view of this locked configuration is provided in the example illustrated in  FIG.  6 C . A similar re-positioning of end tab  130  can take place wherein edge  164  of the second end reinforcing wall  50  is elevated high enough out of plane to allow for a portion of end tab  130  to go under the second end reinforcing wall  50  and be re-positioned between the second end wall  40  and the second end reinforcing wall  50  such that a portion of the first major surface  134  of end tab  130  that was in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the second major surface  56  of the second end reinforcing wall  50  will now be in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the first major surface  44  of the second end wall  40  and a portion of the second major surface  136  of the end tab  130  will now be in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the first major surface  54  of the second end reinforcing wall  50 . 
     In various embodiments, to facilitate elevation of edges,  160  and  164 , out of plane, each of the edges,  160  and  164 , can have a notch, such as notches  162  and  166 , respectively, which can provide a consumer with the ability to grasp the material forming the first end reinforcing wall  30  and the second end reinforcing wall  50 , without also grabbing the material forming the first end wall  20  and the second end wall  40 . Examples of such notches,  162  and  166 , are illustrated in  FIG.  6 B . The notches,  162  and  166 , can be any size and shape deemed suitable to accommodate a consumer extending at least a single finger (such as a pointer finger) through the opening created by a notch,  162  or  166 , and pinching the material between the pointer finger and the consumers thumb of the same handle and applying a pulling force on the material to elevate edges  160  and  164  out of plane. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  7 A and  7 A , in various embodiments, it may be deemed suitable to provide the container blank  10  with at least one opening in the material forming the container blank  10  to facilitate the carrying and transport of the folded configuration container blank  10  by the consumer. Each opening can be of any size and shape deemed suitable to facilitate the carrying and transport of the folded configuration container blank  10 . Examples of various suitable shapes of the opening can include, but is not limited to, square, rectangle, circle, oval, elliptical, etc. The opening should be provided in the material forming the container blank  10  in a location which will be readily accessible to the consumer following the re-assembly of the container blank  10  into the smaller and generally flat configuration. In various embodiments, the container blank  10  can have at least one opening. In various embodiments, the container blank  10  can have at least 1, 2, 3, or 4 openings. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments provided in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B , the container blank  10  has two openings,  170  and  172 , which are located on the end tabs,  120  and  130 , respectively, hingedly attached to the second major panel  110 . Each opening,  170  and  172 , is illustrated in a portion of each respective end tab,  120  and  130 , wherein the material forming the end tab,  120  or  130 , is not in an overlapping configuration with any other material forming the carton blank  10 . 
     As described herein, containers for packaging articles of manufacture can contain not only the article of manufacture but also additional packaging material which can prevent shifting of the article of manufacture within the container and prevent damage to the article of manufacture, as well as informational pamphlets. As illustrated in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , such additional packaging material  210  and information pamphlets can be placed on top of the container blank  10  when in its completed unfolded and planar configuration and can then be housed within the re-folded, smaller, and generally flat folded configuration following the folding of the container blank  10  into the smaller generally flat configuration. 
     In the interests of brevity and conciseness, any ranges of values set forth in this disclosure contemplate all values within the range and are to be construed as support for claims reciting any sub-ranges having endpoints which are whole number values within the specified range in question. By way of hypothetical example, a disclosure of a range of from 1 to 5 shall be considered to support claims to any of the following ranges 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; 1 to 2; 2 to 5; 2 to 4; 2 to 3; 3 to 5; 3 to 4; and 4 to 5. 
     The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.” 
     All documents cited in the Detailed Description are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any documents 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. 
     When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments described above should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.