Patent Publication Number: US-11390419-B2

Title: Package assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/875,740 filed Jul. 18, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Various embodiments relate to package assemblies for consumer products. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional package assemblies of consumer products often include separate hang tabs to hang the package assembly from pegs for retail at a point-of-sale display. The hang tabs are often formed from a separate polymeric material and are fastened to the package assembly with an adhesive. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, a package assembly is provided with a plurality of pivotally connected panels to collectively at least partially enclose a product. At least one hang tab is pivotally connected to a minor panel of the plurality of pivotally connected panels, to extend through a slot in one of the plurality of pivotally connected panels to support the package assembly at retail. 
     According to a further embodiment, the at least one hang tab is centered on the package assembly to lie in a plane with a center of gravity of the package assembly and the at least partially enclosed product. 
     According to another further embodiment, the plurality of pivotally connected panels provide a front panel, a top panel, a rear panel, and a bottom panel. The minor panel is pivotally connected to one of the front panel, the top panel, the rear panel, and the bottom panel. 
     According to an even further embodiment, the minor panel is pivotally connected to the top panel. 
     According to another further embodiment, the minor panel is a first minor panel pivotally connected to the top panel at a fold line. The package assembly is further provided with a second minor panel pivotally connected to the top panel at the same fold line as the first minor panel, with a cut line separating the first minor panel and the second minor panel. 
     According to another further embodiment, the slot is formed through the top panel for the at least one hang tab to extend through the top panel. 
     According to an even further embodiment, a flange is pivotally connected to the at least one hang tab to extend into the package assembly and retain the at least one hang tab within the slot. 
     According to another even further embodiment, the plurality of pivotally connected panels is further provided with a pair of major end panels, each pivotally connected to a lateral end of one of the front panel, the top panel, the rear panel, and the bottom panel. 
     According to another even further embodiment, the pair of major end panels conceals the minor panel within the package assembly. 
     According to another further embodiment, the minor panel covers a seam along one of the pair of major end panels. 
     According to another further embodiment, the at least one hang tab is further provided with a pair of hang tab panels. 
     According to another further embodiment, the package assembly is formed from a unitary sheet of material, and the at least one hang tab is positioned laterally within an overall rectilinear area of the package assembly when flat to avoid an increase to an overall size of the sheet of material. 
     According to another further embodiment, the at least one hang tab is further provided with a first hang tab panel pivotally connected to the minor panel. A slot is formed at a fold line of the first hang tab panel and the minor panel. A second hang tab panel is pivotally connected to the first hang tab panel. A locking tab extends from the second hang tab panel to lock within the slot at the fold line of the first hang tab panel and the minor panel. 
     According to another further embodiment, the at least one hang tab has a width greater than a width of the slot to provide an interference fit within the slot. 
     According to another further embodiment, the at least one hang tab is provided with a slot to receive a peg at a point-of-sale display. 
     According to another further embodiment, polymers and adhesives are omitted from the package assembly. 
     According to another embodiment, a package assembly is provided with a unitary sheet of material defining a plurality of panels to collectively at least partially enclose a product, and at least one hang tab, to extend through at least one slot in at least one of the plurality of panels to support the package assembly at retail. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of arranging a hang tab on a package assembly, provides a plurality of pivotally connected panels to collectively at least partially enclose and package a consumer product. A hang tab location is determined to support the package assembly. At least one hang tab is provided on a minor panel spaced from a pivotal connection of the minor panel to extend within the package to the determined hang tab location. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of assembling a package assembly provides a plurality of pivotally connected panels to collectively at least partially enclose and package a consumer product. At least one hang tab is provided on a minor panel spaced from a pivotal connection of the minor panel to extend within the package. The minor panel is folded into the package. The at least one hang tab is inserted into a slot in one of the plurality of pivotally connected panels. 
     According to a further embodiment, the at least one hang tab is pushed partially into the slot for compactness during transit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a package assembly according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the package assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of a blank of the package assembly of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a side end perspective view of the package assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is another side end perspective view of the package assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of a blank of the package assembly of  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a portion of a blank of the package assembly of  FIG. 1 , according to yet another embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a side end perspective view of the package assembly of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a portion of a blank of the package assembly of  FIG. 1 , according to yet another embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a side end perspective view of the package assembly of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side end perspective view of the package assembly of  FIG. 9 , illustrating an assembly step according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is another side end perspective view of the package assembly of  FIG. 9 , illustrating another assembly step; 
         FIG. 13  is another side end perspective view of the package assembly of  FIG. 9 , illustrating another assembly step; 
         FIG. 14  is another side end perspective view of the package assembly of  FIG. 9 , illustrating another assembly step; 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged view of a portion of a blank of the package assembly of  FIG. 1 , according to yet another embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of a blank of a package assembly according to another embodiment; and 
         FIG. 17  is a plan view of a blank of a package assembly according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     Conventional package assemblies of consumer products often include separate hang tabs to hang the package assembly from pegs for retail at a point-of-sale display. The hang tabs are often formed from a separate polymeric material and are fastened to the package assembly with an adhesive. The separate hang tabs are often fastened to a rear surface of the package assembly causing the package assembly to pivot below the hang tab such that a forward surface of the package assembly is tilted downward. Additionally, the tilting of the package assembly may apply loading to the adhesive in a peel direction, instead of shear, which may cause the adhesive to fail. The separate polymeric hang tab and adhesive add material cost and manufacturing steps to the package assembly. 
     Package assemblies are often discarded soon after purchase of the consumer product. Use of polymeric hang tabs and adhesives reduce the sustainability and recyclability of the package assembly. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a package assembly  20  for a consumer product, according to an embodiment. Consumer products that are packaged and retailed in package assemblies  20  with hang tabs include home and bath hardware, such as towel bars, glass shelves, periodical racks, tray racks, towel racks, hook racks, any consumer products that may be partially or fully enclosed and supported within a box, and the like. The package assembly  20  includes hang tabs  22  that are incorporated into flaps within the package assembly  20 . Although a pair of hang tabs  22  are illustrated, any number and orientation of hang tabs  22  may be employed, depending upon the size, orientation, and loading of the package assembly  20 . For example, one central hang tab  22  may be employed. 
     The package assembly  20  is a closed box to be hung by the hang tabs  22  when merchandised. The hang tabs  22  each include a slot  24  to receive a peg of a pegboard, as is known in the art. The package assembly  20  and the hang tabs  22  are designed to support a weight of the product while omitting polymers and adhesives from the package assembly  20 . By integrating the hang tabs  22  into the package assembly  20 , the hang tabs  22  are centered in a depth orientation on the package assembly  20  (front to back or vertically in  FIG. 2 ) so that the hang tabs  22  generally lie in a plane with a center of gravity of the package assembly  20  and the packaged consumer product so that the package assembly  20  hangs straight without a tilt. Although the depicted embodiment omits polymers and adhesives, various embodiments may employ the hang tabs  22  in combination with conventional polymeric hang tabs and adhesives, whereby the hang tabs  22  reduce the quantity of separate components. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a blank  26  for the package assembly  20  is illustrated according to an embodiment. The blank  26  may be formed from cardboard, corrugated material, or any suitable packaging material. The blank  26  is a single component or sheet of material and provides all of the features of the package assembly  20 . The blank includes a front panel  28  with a height and length to house the consumer product. A top panel  30  is pivotally connected to the front panel  28  at fold line  32 . The top panel  30  has a depth and a length to house the consumer product. A rear panel  34  is about the same size as the front panel  28  and is pivotally connected to the top panel  30  at fold line  36 . 
     A bottom panel  38  is pivotally connected to the front panel  28  at fold line  40 . For the present embodiment, the bottom panel  38  also has similar dimensions to the top panel  30 . Alternatively, irregular box shapes may also be employed. An assembly flap  42  is provided along the rear panel  34  along fold line  44 . A plurality of slots  46  are formed through the flap-rear fold line  44 . During assembly, the front panel  28 , top panel  30 , rear panel  34 , bottom panel  38 , and assembly flap  42  are folded along the fold lines  32 ,  36 ,  40 ,  44  so that the assembly flap  42  is received behind the bottom panel  38 . A plurality of locking tabs  48  are formed along the bottom panel  38  to extend through the slots  46  and to fasten the bottom panel  38  and the rear panel  34 . Alternatively, the package assembly  20  may be partially or fully enclosed and sealed with an adhesive joint or tape, staples, or any suitable fastener. 
     A pair of major end panels or major flaps  50  are pivotally connected to the front panel  28  at fold lines  52 . The major flaps  50  have a height and a depth according to the height and depth of the package assembly  20 . An assembly flap  54  is pivotally connected to each major flap  50  at fold line  56 . A slot  58  is formed in each fold line  56 . During assembly, the assembly flap  54  is folded into the package assembly  20  in front of the rear panel  34 . A pair of assembly tabs  60  are provided along the rear panel  34  to extend into the slots  58  and assemble the major flap  50  to the rear panel  34 . 
     A pair of minor end panels or minor flaps  62  are each pivotally connected to the bottom panel  38  at fold lines  64 . The minor flaps  62  are folded into the package assembly prior to closing the ends with the major flaps  50 . The minor flaps  62  cover a seam along the major flaps  50  and act as dust flap to minimize dust that enters the seam. Additionally, the minor flaps  62  assist to retain and support the major flaps  50 . 
     Another pair of minor flaps  66  are pivotally connected to the top panel  30  along fold lines  68 . The hang tabs  22  each include a hang tab panel  70  pivotally connected to the top minor flaps  66  at fold line  72 . The hang tabs  22  may include a single panel  70 . Depending on loading requirements of the package assembly  20 , an additional hang tab panel  74  may be connected to the first hang tab panel  70  at fold line  76  to double the thickness and enhance the structure support of the hang tabs  22 . Additionally flanges  78  may be pivotally connected to the second hang tab panels  74  at fold line  80  for alignment of the hang tabs  22 . If only a single panel  70  is employed, then the flanges  78  could each be connected to the single panel  70 . For example, a right angle cut may be provided off of fold line  72  to create a flange for the single panel  70 . The flanges  78  are illustrated with a width generally corresponding to a width of the hang tab panels  70 ,  74 . However, the flanges  78  may have any suitable width, such as greater or less than a width of the hang tab panels  70 ,  74 . 
     A pair of slots  82  are formed through the top panel  30 . The slots  82  are each sized to permit one of the hang tabs  22  to pass through to extend out of the package assembly  20  if required to hang the package assembly  20  upon a display peg. Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the upper minor flap  66  is illustrated folded into the package assembly  20 , along the top panel  30  and between the front panel  28  and the rear panel  34 . The hang tab  22  is aligned with the slot  82  to extend out through the slot  82  and out of the top panel  30 . The hang tab flange  78  extends into the package assembly  20  to maintain the second hang tab panel  74  in alignment with the slot  82  and to avoid pulling the second hang tab panel  74  through the slot  82 . 
     The sizing of the slots  82  relative to the hang tabs  22  may permit the hang tabs  22  to be pushed partially into the slots  82  for compactness during transit. The packaged product and the package assembly  20  may cooperate so that the packaged product prevents the hang tabs  22  from being overly depressed in the slots  82  and into the package assembly  20 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , during assembly, the hang tabs  22  are created by folding the hang tab panels  70 ,  74  along fold lines  72 ,  76 . The upper minor flaps  66  are folded 180 degrees at fold line  68  into the package assembly  20 . The hang tabs  22  are inserted into the slots  82 . The flanges  78  are folded at fold lines  80  to stay within the package assembly  20  along the upper panel  30  to align the hang tabs  22  within the slots  82 . Then the lower minor flaps  62  are folded ninety degrees at fold lines  64  into the package assembly  20 . Then the major flaps  50  are folded into the package assembly  20 . The minor flaps  62 ,  66  provide additional structural support to the connection of the major flaps  50  to the front, top, back and bottom panels  28 ,  30 ,  34 ,  38 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the die layout for the blank  26  is arranged so that the hang tabs  22  can be incorporated into various positions on the top panel  30  by adapting the position of the fold line  72  to determine a location of the hang tabs  22  in both a lateral direction (horizontal arrow lines in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and in a fore-aft direction (vertical arrow line in  FIG. 2 ). With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the hang tabs  22  can be adjusted toward a lateral center of the package assembly  20 , or toward lateral ends of the package assembly  20 , depending on applicable loading of the housed consumer product. The lateral spacing of the hang tabs  22  may also be coordinated with conventional hang rail spacings, such as one-inch increments. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the hang tabs  22  can extend upward from any location upon the top panel  30 . By aligning the hang tabs  22  with a center of the package assembly  20  and/or a center of gravity of the consumer product and the package assembly  20 , the package assembly can hang straight from the hang tabs  22  without tilting or misalignment. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , by aligning the hang tab panels  70 ,  74  laterally within an overall blank  26  width that includes the front panel  28 , major flaps  50 , and the assembly flaps  54 , the hang tabs  22  can be incorporated into the blank  26  without increasing an overall size of the blank  26 . By maintaining the blank  26  size, waste is minimized in stamping the blank  26 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3-5 , the exposed surfaces of the hang tab panels  70 ,  74  are from an underside of the blank  26 . This arrangement permits the hang tabs  22  to be a different color than the exposed panels  28 ,  30 ,  34 ,  38 ,  50  of the package assembly  20 . Alternatively, the underside of the blank  26  can be decorated so that the hang tabs  22  match a decoration color or theme of the exposed panels  28 ,  30 ,  34 ,  38 ,  50  of the package assembly  20 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the package assembly  26  is illustrated with an optional opening  83  or cutout to provide a window in the package assembly  26  for visual access and or tactile access of the partially enclosed product by the consumer. Any number of optional cutouts  83  may be provided to provide access to various features of the enclosed or partially enclosed product. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a blank  84  for the package assembly  20  according to another embodiment. Various panel dimensions may vary from the prior embodiment, depending upon the size and shape of the corresponding consumer product. A slot  86  is provided at the fold line  72  of the first hang tab panel  70  to the upper minor flap  66 . Unlike the prior embodiment, the hang tab does not include a flange  78 . Instead a locking tab  88  is connected to the second hang tab panel  74  at fold line  80 . The locking tab  88  has an overall width greater than a width of the slot  86  to be inserted into the slot  86  and to lock the tab  88  within the slot  86 , and to consequently lock the hang tab  22  relative to the top panel  30 . The locking tab  88  has a tapered width increasing from a distal end toward the fold line  80  to assist in assertion of the locking tab  88  into the slot  86 . The locking tab  88  also has a reduced width immediately adjacent the fold line  80  to permit the increased width of the locking tab  88  to pass into the slot  86 . 
     In the depicted embodiment, the hang tabs  22  have an overall width that is greater than a width of the slots  82 . This arrangement permits an interference fit of the hang tabs  22  within the slots  82 . The first hang tab panel  70  has a tapered width increasing from the fold line  76  to the fold line  72 . The second hang tab panel  74  also has a tapered width increasing from the fold line  76  to the fold line  80 . When the second hang tab panel  74  is folded upon the first hang tab panel  70 , the tapered widths align and guide the insertion of the hang tabs  22  into the slots  82 . 
     The hang tabs  22  permit the hang tab  22  to have the same color and or decoration as the remainder of the package assembly  20  by permitting a rear surface of the first hang tab panel  70  and a rear surface of the second hang tab panel  74  to folded upon each other. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a blank  90  for the package assembly  20  of  FIG. 8  according to another embodiment. The blank  90  is similar to the prior embodiment. However, an additional cut line  92  is provided between the fold line  68  of the minor flap  66  and the top panel  30 , and the fold line  72  of the first hang tab panel  70  and the minor flap  66 , thereby creating a second minor flap  94 . The first minor flap  66  is folded 180 degrees relative to the top panel  30  as illustrated in  FIG. 8  for installation of the hang tabs  22 . The second minor flap  94  provides a residual minor flap  94  to fold ninety degrees relative to the top panel  30 . The second minor flap  94  acts as a dust flap  94  and assists with assembly of the major flap  50  in a standard tuck arrangement to strengthen the end of the assembled package assembly  20 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a blank  96  for a package assembly  20  of  FIG. 10  according to another embodiment. The blank  96  is similar to the blank  84  of the prior embodiment of  FIG. 6 . However, the first hang tab panel  70  and the second hang tab panel  74  are not tapered and have a consistent width for a loose connection within the slot  82  of the top panel  30 . 
       FIGS. 11-14  illustrate construction of the hang tabs  22  of the package assembly  20  of  FIG. 10  from the blank  96  of  FIG. 9 . In  FIG. 11 , the first hang tab panel  70  is folded along the fold line  72  with the minor flap  66 . Next, in  FIG. 12 , the second hang tab panel  74  is folded toward the first hang tab panel  70  along fold line  76  to create a rollover of the hang tab panels  70 ,  74 . In  FIG. 12 , the locking tab  88  is inserted into the slot  86  to lock the hang tab  22 . In  FIG. 13 , the minor flap  66  is pivoted toward the top panel  30 . Then, in  FIG. 14 , the hang tab  22  is inserted through the slot  82  in the top panel  30 . For locking embodiments, the hang tab  22  is locked in place in this position. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a blank  98  for a package assembly  20  of  FIG. 1  according to another embodiment. The blank  98  is similar to the blanks  26 ,  84 ,  90  of the prior embodiments. However, the first hang tab panel  70  is a single hang tab panel  70  without a second hang tab panel. According to an embodiment, the first hang tab panel  70  does not include a flange nor a locking tab. The single hang tab panel  70  is folded to extend through the slot  82  in the top panel  30  for hanging the product package assembly  20 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a blank  100  for a package assembly  102  according to another embodiment. Various panel dimensions may vary from the prior embodiment, depending upon the size and shape of the corresponding consumer product. The blank  100  includes a single hang tab  104 . The package assembly  102  is folded to a closed box to be hung by the hang tab  104  when merchandised. The hang tab  104  includes a slot  106  to receive a peg of a pegboard, as is known in the art. 
     The blank includes a front panel  108  with a height and width to house the consumer product. A top panel  110  is pivotally connected to the front panel  108  at fold line  112 . The top panel  110  has a depth and a width to house the consumer product. A bottom panel  114  is pivotally connected to the front panel  108  at fold line  116 . For the present embodiment, the bottom panel  114  also has similar dimensions to the top panel  110 . A top assembly flap  118  is provided along the top panel  110  along a fold line  120 . A slot  122  is formed through the top-flap fold line  120 . A bottom assembly flap  124  is provided along the bottom panel  114  along a fold line  126 . A slot  128  is formed through the bottom-flap fold line  126 . 
     A side panel  130  with a depth corresponding to the depth of the top and bottom panels  110 ,  114 , and with a height corresponding to the height of the front panel  108  is pivotally connected to the front panel  108  at fold line  132 . A rear panel  134  with dimensions similar to the front panel  108  is pivotally connected to the side panel  130  at fold line  136 . A rear assembly flap  138  is pivotally connected to the rear panel  134  at fold line  140 . A plurality of slots  142  are formed along the fold line  140 . A pair of locking tabs  143  are provided along a top edge and a bottom edge of the rear panel  134 . Another side panel  144  is pivotally connected to the front panel  108  along fold line  146 . A plurality of locking tabs  148  are provided along a distal lengthwise edge of the side panel  144 . 
     During assembly, the front panel  108 , the side panels  130 ,  144 , the rear panel  134 , and the rear assembly flap  138  are folded along the fold lines  132 ,  136 ,  140 ,  146  so that the rear assembly flap  138  is received behind the side panel  144 . The locking tabs  148  extend through the slots  142  to fasten the side panel  144  and the rear panel  134 . 
     A pair of minor end panels  150 ,  152  are pivotally connected to the side panel  144  at fold lines  154 ,  156 . Another pair of minor end panels  158 ,  160  are pivotally connected to the other side panel  130  at fold lines  162 ,  164 . During assembly, the lower minor flaps  152 ,  160  are folded into the package assembly  102 . Then, the bottom panel  114  is folded over the minor flaps  152 ,  160  and the assembly flap  124  is inserted into the package assembly  102  in contact within the rear panel  134 . The lower locking tab  143  is inserted into the slot  128  to lock the bottom panel  114  to the back panel  134 . 
     The hang tab  104  includes a first hang tab panel  166  pivotally connected to the top minor flap  158  at fold line  168 . A slot  170  is formed in the fold line  168 . A second hang tab panel  172  is pivotally connected to the first hang tab panel  166  at fold line  174 . The slot  106  is formed through the first hang tab panel  166  and the second hang tab panel  172 . A locking tab  176  is provided on the second hang tab panel  172 . During assembly, the second hang tab panel  172  is folded upon the first hang tab panel  166  and the locking tab  176  is fastened into the slot  170 . 
     During assembly, the top minor flap  150  is folded into the package assembly  102 . Then, the minor flap  158  is folded into the package assembly  102  with the hang tab  104  extending upright. A slot  178  is provided in the top panel  110 . The top panel  110  is folded over the minor flap  158  and the hang tab  104  is inserted into the slot  178  to extend through the top panel  110  and out of the package assembly  102 . The top assembly flap  118  is folded inside the rear panel  134 , and then the locking tab  143  is inserted into the slot  122  thereby locking the top panel  110  to the rear panel  134 . 
     The top minor flaps  150 ,  158  can be any suitable length to overlap the top minor flaps  150 ,  158 ; to provide a gap between the top minor flaps  150 ,  158 ; or to permit the top minor flaps  150 ,  158  to coterminate. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a blank  180  for a package assembly  182 . The package assembly  182 , once assembled includes an open front, such a tray package. The blank  180  includes a back panel  184 . An outer top panel  186  is pivotally connected to the back panel  184  at a fold line  188 . A slot  190  is formed in the fold line  188 . A first minor flap panel  192  is pivotally connected to the outer top panel  186  at fold line  194 . A first hang tab panel  196  is pivotally connected to the first minor flap panel  192  at fold line  198 . A slot  200  is formed in the fold line  198 . A second hang tab panel  202  is pivotally connected to the first hang tab panel  196 . A slot  204  is formed through the hang tab panels  196 ,  202  to hang the package assembly  182  upon a peg at a point-of-sale display, if required. A locking tab  206  is provided upon the second hang tab panel  202 . The second hang tab panel  202  is folded over the first hang tab panel  196  and the locking tab  206  is inserted into the slot  200  thereby the hang tab panels  196 ,  202  together. 
     A slot  208  is formed through the outer top panel  186 . The first minor flap  192  is folded upon the outer top panel  186  and the hang tab panels  196 ,  202  are inserted through the slot  208  to extend out of the package assembly  182 . A second minor flap  210  is pivotally connected to the outer top panel to be folded over the first minor flap  192 . An inner top panel  212  is pivotally connected to the outer top flap  186  to pivot over the minor flaps  192 ,  210 . A locking tab  214  extends from the inner top panel  212  to extend into the slot  190  to lock minor flaps  192 ,  210  between the top panels  186 ,  212  and to lock the inner top panel  212  to the back panel  184 . 
     An outer bottom panel  216  is pivotally connected to the back panel  184  at fold line  218  with a slot  220  formed at the fold line  218 . A pair of minor flaps  222  are pivotally connected to the outer bottom panel  216  to fold upon the outer bottom panel  216 . An inner bottom panel  224  is pivotally connected to the outer bottom panel  216  to fold over the pair of minor flaps  222 . A locking tab  226  is provided on the inner bottom panel  224  so that when the inner bottom panel is folded into the package assembly  180 , the inner bottom panel  224  is locked to the back panel  184  by the locking tab  226  inserted into the slot  220 . 
     A pair of outer side panels  228  are each pivotally connected to the back panel  184  at fold lines  230  with slots  232  formed at the fold lines  230 . A pair of inner side panels  234  are each pivotally connected to one of the outer side panels  228 . A locking tab  236  is provided on each inner side panel  234  so that when the inner side panel  234  is folded into the package assembly  180 , the inner side panel  234  is locked to the back panel  184  by the locking tab  236  inserted into the slot  232 . 
     According to another embodiment, the minor flaps  210 ,  222  could be folded within the outer side panels  228 , and then locked by the inner side flaps  234  to interlock the top and bottom panels  186 ,  212 ,  216 ,  224  to the side panels  228 ,  234 . 
     The minor flap  192  may be cut along cut line  238  to create a second minor flap  240 . As the first minor flap  192  is pivoted 180 degrees to fit between the outer upper panel  186  and inner upper panel  212 , the second minor flap  240  may be folded to ninety degrees. The second minor flap  240  may be received between the outer side panel  228  and the inner side panel  234  to interlock the top panel  186  with the side panels  228 ,  234 . 
     While various embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.