Patent Publication Number: US-2020283190-A1

Title: Convertible Shipping Container And Method Of Displaying A Product

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/663,480, filed Jul. 28, 2017 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/369,598 filed on Aug. 1, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a shipping container or carton that is convertible into a display container or carton. For example, such containers may be used to ship a product to a retailer and then to display the product to consumers. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one construction, the disclosure provides a shipping container convertible to a display container comprising; a case having a plurality of sides substantially enclosing a chamber for containing products and having a tear line, the case being separable along the tear line into a display portion and a tear portion, the case having no more than one handle disposed proximate the tear line for facilitating division of the case along the tear line; and a plurality of products housed in the chamber and arranged parallel to one another. The display portion includes at least a portion of every one of the plurality of sides. The tear portion includes a portion of four sides. The case is convertible into a display container by removal of the tear portion. 
     In another construction, the disclosure provides a shipping container convertible to a display container comprising: a case having a plurality of sides substantially enclosing a chamber for containing products and having a tear line, the case being separable along the tear line into a display portion and a tear portion, the case including no more than one handle located proximate the tear line for facilitating the separation of the display portion and tear portion along the tear line; and a plurality of products housed in the chamber and arranged substantially parallel to one another in no more than one row. The case is convertible into a display container by removal of the tear portion. The display portion includes at least a portion of every one of the plurality of sides. 
     In another construction, the disclosure provides a shipping container convertible to a display container comprising a case having a plurality of sides, a tear line, and no more than one handle, the case being divisible along the tear line into a display portion and a tear portion, wherein the tear portion defines at least 30% of at least one but no more than two of the plurality of sides. The handle is disposed proximate the tear line for facilitating the separation of the case along the tear line. The case is convertible into a display container by removal of the tear portion using a single removal motion. 
     Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a blank for forming a case. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of another construction of the blank for forming a case. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the case formed from the blank shown in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of another blank for forming a case. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another case formed from the blank shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIGS. 6-9  are perspective views of the blank shown in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2  being formed into the case shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 10  is another perspective view of the case shown in  FIG. 5  formed from the blank shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of a tear support piece. 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of another construction of the tear support piece. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the tear support piece shown in  FIG. 11  or  FIG. 12  being folded. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the tear support piece of  FIG. 13  assembled with the case of  FIG. 3  or  FIG. 5  to form a shipping container. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of two shipping containers of  FIG. 14  glued together. 
         FIGS. 16-18  are perspective views illustrating conversion of the shipping container of  FIG. 14  being converted into a display container. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the tear portion removed from the display container of  FIG. 18  including the tear support piece shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the tear portion removed from the display container of  FIG. 18  including the tear support piece shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 21  is another perspective view illustrating the display container embodying the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any constructions of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other constructions and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
       FIGS. 1-21  illustrate a shipping container  10  convertible to a display container  12  in accordance with the present disclosure. The shipping container  10  is formed from a case  52  and a tear support piece  16 . The case  52  is formed from a blank  14  and is divisible into a tear portion  36  and a display portion  38 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 , the blank  14  is shown in a first configuration, or pre-assembly configuration. In the illustrated construction, the blank  14  is generally planar in the first configuration and may have the same or varying thickness in generally the same plane; however, in other constructions, the blank  14  may be bent or curved. The blank  14  may be formed from a piece of material  18 , such as a stock material that is cut into the blank  14  or a material formed directly as the blank  14 . In the illustrated construction, the blank  14  is formed from a piece of corrugated cardboard, which may have sinusoidal corrugations or other suitable types of corrugations. For example, in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the blank  14  has a corrugation direction T that extends generally in a longitudinal direction A of the blank  14 . However, other types of materials, such as other types of cardboard, card stock, other paper materials, fibers, fabrics, plastics, polymers, resins, metals, composites, etc., or any mixture thereof, may be employed. 
     In the illustrated construction, the blank  14  includes a generally planar main body  20  having a plurality of sections  22   a - 22   d  and flaps  24   a - 24   d ,  26   a - 26   d ,  28  defined by fold lines  30  (as will be described with reference to the drawings in greater detail below). The overall dimensions of the blank  14  are defined by a length L in a flute direction, also referred to herein as the longitudinal direction A, and a width W in a direction B, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction A. The overall dimension of the blank  14  may range from about 4 ft. in width W by 10 ft. in length L to about 2 in. in width W by 8 in. in length L. In the illustrated constructions, the overall dimensions of the blank  14  are about 20 in. to about 40 in. in length L in the longitudinal direction A by about 6 in. to about 18 in. in width W in direction B, though the blank  14  may also be scaled, skewed, or disproportionately enlarged or reduced to any other size. More specifically, in  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a first construction of the blank  14 , the overall dimensions of the blank  14  are about 29 in. in length L by about 12 in. in width W. In  FIG. 2 , which illustrates a second construction of the blank  14 , the overall dimensions of the blank  14  are about 28 in. by about 13 in. In  FIG. 4 , which illustrates a third construction of the blank  14 , the overall dimensions of the blank  14  are about 28 in. by about 12½ in. Other dimensions are also possible. In the context of the length L and the width W, the term “about” means plus or minus one inch (e.g. 29±1 in. by 12±1 in. in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The fold lines  30  may be formed as straight or curved scores, cuts, bends, creases, perforations, slits, etc., or in any other suitable manner, and in any combination, in the piece of material  18 . The fold lines  30  are configured to facilitate folding, or bending, of the blank  14  along predetermined paths to form a three-dimensional shape defining a chamber  32 , or receptacle, as will be described in greater detail below. The blank  14  includes first, second, third, and fourth sections  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  (respectively) arranged consecutively in the flute direction, or longitudinal direction A. Each section  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  is generally rectangular and generally defined between the fold lines  30 ; however, in other constructions, each section  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  may have any desired shape, such as triangular, square, pentagonal, etc. A first lower flap  24   a  extends from an end of the first section  22   a , and a first upper flap  26   a  extends from a generally opposite and/or parallel end of the first section  22   a . A side flap  28  extends from a side of the first section  22   a  generally perpendicular to the first lower flap  24   a  and the first upper flap  26   a . However, in other constructions, the side flap  28  may extend from any of the first, second, third, and fourth sections  22   a - 22   d  and the blank  14  may be adjusted accordingly. For example, in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the side flap  28  extends from a side of the fourth section  22   d  generally perpendicular to the fourth lower flap  24   d  and the fourth upper flap  26   d  as shown in the second construction ( FIG. 2 ) and the third construction ( FIG. 4 ) of the blank  14 . The second section  22   b  is disposed between the first and third sections  22   a ,  22   c  and includes a second lower flap  24   b  extending therefrom, the second lower flap  24   b  being adjacent the first lower flap  24   a . A second upper flap  26   b  extends from the second section  22   b  generally opposite and/or parallel to the second lower flap  24   b . The third section  22   c  is disposed between the second section  22   b  and the fourth section  22   d . A third lower flap  24   c  extends from the third section  22   c  and a third upper flap  26   c  extends from the third section  22   c  generally opposite the third lower flap  24   c . The fourth section  22   d  is disposed adjacent the third section  22   c . The first section  22   a  and the fourth section  22   d  are generally disposed at opposite ends of the blank  14  in the longitudinal direction A. A fourth lower flap  24   d  extends from the fourth section  22   d  adjacent the third lower flap  24   c , and a fourth upper flap  26   d  extends from the fourth section  22   d  generally opposite and/or parallel to the fourth lower flap  24   d . The lower and upper flaps  24   a - 24   d ,  26   a - 26   d  are generally rectangular but may be tapered and/or may include additional tabs and/or cutouts. 
     The dimensions of the plurality of sections  22   a - 22   d  of the main body  20  are defined by a length and a height for each section  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  and may have different lengths in the longitudinal direction A or different heights in the direction B. For example, in the first, second, and third construction of the blank  14 , some of the plurality of sections  22   a - 22   d  have different lengths in the longitudinal direction A but have a similar height D in the direction B. The first and third section  22   a ,  22   c  are defined by a length C in the longitudinal direction A and a height D in the direction B. 
     The length C is between about 3 in. and about 8 ft. More specifically, the length C is between about 6 in. and about 30 in. Even more specifically, the length C is between about 8 in. and about 12 in. In the construction of  FIG. 1 , the length C is about 9.8 in. In the construction of  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the length C is about 9.7 in. 
     The height D is between about 3 in. and about 8 ft. More specifically, height D is between about 6 in. and about 30 in. Even more specifically, the height D is between about 6 in. and about 12 in. In the construction of  FIG. 1 , the height D is about 8 in. In the construction of  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the height D is about 8.8 in. 
     The first and third sections  22   a ,  22   c  may also be scaled, skewed, or disproportionately enlarged or reduced to any other size. Other dimensions are also possible. 
     The second and fourth sections  22   b ,  22   d  are defined by a width E in the longitudinal direction A and the height D in the direction B. The width E is between about 1 in. and about 8 ft. More specifically, width E is between about 1 in. and about 30 in. Even more specifically, the width E is between about 1 in. and about 7 in. In the construction of  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 , the width E is about 4 in. 
     The second and fourth sections  22   b ,  22   d  may also be scaled, skewed, or disproportionately enlarged or reduced to any other size. Other dimensions are also possible. 
     In the context of the length C, the width E, and the height D, the term “about” means plus or minus one inch (e.g. 9.8±1 in. in the length C by 4±1 in. in the width E by 8±1 in. in the height D in the construction of  FIG. 1 ). 
     The blank  14  also includes tear lines  34  formed as straight or curved scores, cuts, bends, creases, perforations, slits, etc., or in any other suitable manner, and in any combination, in or through the piece of material  18 . The tear lines  34  generally divide the blank  14  into a tear portion  36  and a display portion  38 , which will be described in greater detail below. The tear lines  34  are configured to facilitate division, separation, removal, and/or detachment of the tear portion  36  from the display portion  38  such that the tear portion  36  is removable, preferably cleanly and predictably along predetermined paths (e.g., along the tear lines  34 ) while reducing unpredictable tears. The tear lines  34  extend at least partially across the first upper flap  26   a , the first section  22   a , the second section  22   b , the third section  22   c , and the third upper flap  26   c . The tear portion  36  generally includes portions of the first upper flap  26   a , the first section  22   a , the second section  22   b , the third section  22   c , and the third upper flap  26   c  as well as the entire second upper flap  26   b . The tear portion  36  preferably includes more than half of the second section  22   b  and relatively smaller elongated portions of the first and third sections  22   a ,  22   c  directly adjacent the second section  22   b . For example, the tear lines  34  begin at a central location on the second section  22   b  and expand continuously outwards from (away from) or parallel to the second section  22   b  on both sides. Specifically, the tear lines  34  in the first and third sections  22   a ,  22   c  are angled by an angle J of about 10 to about 80 degrees, or more specifically of about 25 to about 35 degrees (e.g., about 27 degrees in  FIG. 1 ) from a reference line in the direction B (e.g., the nearest fold line  30 ). Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tear lines  34  in the first and third upper flaps  26   a ,  26   c  are angled by an angle K of about 10 to about 80 degrees, or more specifically of about 30 to 40 degrees (e.g., about 45 degrees in  FIG. 1 ) from the nearest reference line in the direction B. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the tear lines  34  in the first and third upper flaps  26   a ,  26   c  are angled by an angle M, an angle N, and an angle O of about 10 to about 90 degrees from the reference line in the direction B. More specifically, angle M is about 40 to about 50 degrees, or about 45 degrees, angle N is about 85 to about 95 degrees, or about 90 degrees, and angle O is about 85-95 degrees, or about 90 degrees. In the context of the angle J, the angle K, the angle M, the angle N, and the angle O, the term “about” means plus or minus five degrees (e.g. angle K is 45±5 degrees in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The display portion  38  generally includes a portion of the first upper flap  26   a , a portion of the first section  22   a , a portion of the second section  22   b , a portion of the third section  22   c , and a portion of the third upper flap  26   c . The display portion  38  also includes the whole side flap  28 , the first, second, third and fourth lower flaps  24   a - 24   d , the fourth upper flap  26   d , and the fourth section  22   d.    
     The blank  14  also includes a handle  40  adjacent to or sharing an edge with the tear lines  34 . The handle  40  may be formed as a cutout or aperture in which a user can insert fingers to grip the case  52 , a partial cutout (e.g., cut on two or three sides) bendable and/or breakable to form an aperture, a perforated aperture or cutout, a tab grippable by the user, etc. In  FIG. 1 , the handle  40  is formed with an aperture having three adjacent sides  42 , which form a generally rectangular configuration with two rounded corners. In  FIGS. 2-5 , the handle  40  is formed with an aperture having two rounded sides  42  and a third side as the fold line  30  extending between the two rounded sides  42 , which form a generally rectangular configuration. In  FIGS. 1-5 , the last side of the handle  40  is a fourth elongated side  44  having a generally curved shape. The fourth elongated side  44  of the handle  40  is generally shaped as an S-curve defining a concave edge  46  and a convex edge  48  ( FIG. 18 ) of the display portion  38 . The fourth elongated side  44  is also part of (i.e., collinear or coaxial with) the tear lines  34  forming a border between the tear portion  36  and the display portion  38 . In the illustrated construction, the fourth elongated side  44  is defined by a cut all the way through the piece of material  18  extending all the way across the second section  22   b  from an intersection with the first section  22   a  to an intersection with the third section  22   c.    
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the blank  14  may also include a viewing hole  82  positioned on the fourth section  22   d  and opposite of the second section  22   b  having the handle  40  when formed into the case  52 . In the illustrated construction, the viewing hole  82  is generally located in the middle of the fourth section  22   d  in the longitudinal direction A and closer to the upper flap  26   d  in the direction B. In other constructions, the viewing hole  82  may be located on any of the sections  22   a - 22   d  or located at any point on the sections  22   a - d  in the longitudinal direction A and in the direction B. The viewing hole  82  may be formed as a cutout, or aperture, in the blank  14  in which the viewing hole  82  has a generally circular shape. In other constructions, the viewing hole  82  may have any desired shape, such as triangular, rectangular, square, pentagonal, etc. For example, in  FIG. 2 , the viewing hole  82  is formed as an aperture having a generally circular shape and defined by a diameter G of about 0.5 in. to about 24 in, though the viewing hole  82  may also be scaled, skewed, or disproportionately enlarged or reduced to any other size. More specifically, diameter G is about 1 in. in  FIG. 2 . In the context of the diameter G, the term “about” means plus or minus one quarter inch (e.g. diameter G is 1±0.25 in. in  FIG. 2 ). Referring to  FIG. 4 , the viewing hole  82  is formed as an aperture having a generally rectangular shape and defined by a length H and a width I of about 0.5 in. to about 12 in. in the length H by about 1 in. to about 24 in. in the width I, though the viewing hole  82  may also be scaled, skewed, or disproportionately enlarged or reduced to any other size. More specifically, the length H is about 1 in. and the width I is about 2 in. in  FIG. 4 . In the context of the length H and the width I, the term “about” means plus or minus a quarter inch (e.g. the length H is 1±0.25 in. in  FIG. 4 ). Notably, in the illustrated construction, the viewing hole  82  is located on the display portion and generally located opposite the second section  22   b  having the handle  40 , which will be explained in greater detail below. 
     Further referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , a user may use a fastener  56  such as adhesive (e.g., glue, paste, epoxy, etc.), staples, interlocking tabs, etc. in order to configure the case  52  from the blank  14  and to configure the shipping container  10  from the case  52  and the tear support piece  16 .  FIGS. 2 and 4  illustrate where glue  56  may be applied by a user. For example, in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , glue  56  is applied in parallel lines in the direction B on the second lower flap  24   b  and fourth lower flap  24   d , the fourth upper flap  26   d , and the portion of the second section  22   b  included in the tear portion  36 . Moreover, glue  56  is applied in a generally straight line on the side flap  28 . Furthermore, glue  56  is applied as consecutive dots on substantially the length of the first upper flap  26   a  and the third upper flap  26   c  in the longitudinal direction A in  FIG. 2 , and applied as a generally straight line on substantially the length of the first upper flap  26   a  and the third upper flap  26   c  in the longitudinal direction A in  FIG. 4 . Glue  56  is also applied in four parallel lines in the direction B to the second upper flap  26   b  in  FIG. 4 . Any type of fastening or fasteners as discussed above, as well as, any type of pattern or direction of applying the fastener may be used in order to configure the case  52  from the blank  14  and to configure the shipping container  10  from the case  52  and the tear support piece  16 . Glue  56 , or any other suitable fastener, applied to any of the flaps and/or sections will be explained in greater detail below. 
     The blank  14  is reconfigurable into a second configuration ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ), or shipping configuration, i.e., into the case  52  or carton (the terms being used interchangeably herein) configured to at least partially enclose or fully enclose a product  54  ( FIGS. 6-9 ) for shipping. The blank  14  is reconfigurable into the case  52  by one or more of bending, folding, gluing, etc. In the second configuration, one example of which is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the blank  14  is reconfigured into the case  52  by folding along the fold lines  30  and gluing along one or more of the sections  22   a - 22   d  and flaps  24   a - 24   d ,  26   a - 26   d ,  28 . In the illustrated construction, glue  56  is applied between the side flap  28  and the fourth section  22   d  ( FIG. 6 ). Glue  56  is also applied between the second lower flap  24   b  and the first lower flap  24   a , between the second lower flap  24   b  and the third lower flap  24   c , between the fourth lower flap  24   d  and the first lower flap  24   a  and between the fourth lower flap  24   d  and the third lower flap  24   c  ( FIG. 7 ). Glue is also applied between the fourth upper flap  26   d  and the first upper flap  26   a  and between the fourth upper flap  26   d  and the third upper flap  26   c  ( FIG. 9 ). In other constructions, glue  56 , or any other suitable fastener, may be applied to any of the flaps and/or sections to achieve the desired three-dimensional structure. For example, referring to  FIG. 10 , the glue  56  is applied between the second upper flap  26   b  and the first upper flap  26   a  and between the second upper flap  26   b  and the third upper flap  26   c . Glue is also applied between the fourth upper flap  26   d  and the first upper flap  26   a  and between the fourth upper flap  26   d  and the third upper flap  26   c.    
     As one specific example, the blank  14  is reconfigurable into the case  52  in steps as shown in  FIGS. 6-9 . This description of conversion of the blank  14  into the case  52  generally applies to all constructions of the blank  14  disclosed herein, including the blanks  14  shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 , though it should be understood that some of the conversion steps may be varied in order to accommodate variations in the blank design, as can be easily understood knowing the structure of the blanks  14 . In  FIG. 6 , the user folds the first, second, third and fourth sections  22   a - 22   d  along the fold lines  30  and fastens the side flap  28  to one of the sections  22   a - 22   d  (e.g., to the fourth section  22   d  with reference to the blank  14  shown in  FIG. 1 , or to the first section  22   a  with reference to the blank  14  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , or to another one of the sections  22   a - 22   d  in alternative structures of the blank  14 ) to form a generally tubular shape. For example, the user may use the fastener  56  such as adhesive (e.g., glue, paste, epoxy, etc.), staples, interlocking tabs, etc. In the illustrated construction, the user applies glue  56  to the side flap  28  and/or the one of the sections  22   a - 22   d  and fastens the side flap  28  to the one of the sections  22   a - 22   d  to form the tubular shape. Thus, the first, second, third and fourth sections  22   a - 22   d  form first, second, third, and fourth sides of the case  52 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the user substantially closes one open end of the tubular shape by folding the lower flaps  24   a - 24   d  along the fold lines  30  and fastening the lower flaps  24   a - 24   d  to each other. Thus, the lower flaps  24   a - 24   d  form a fifth (e.g., bottom) side of the case  52 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the case  52  now has an open end  58  (e.g., a single open end) providing access to the chamber  32 . The user may load the product  54  into the chamber  32  through the open end  58 , as shown. The case  52  may be loaded by dropping or pushing the product  54  into the chamber  32  manually or automatically by machine. The case  52  may be loaded while oriented vertically or horizontally in any desired orientation. The product  54  may also be loaded vertically or horizontally in any desired orientation such that the product  54  lies flat or upright as desired. In the illustrated construction, the product  54  includes packages being elongated. The elongation of the product  54  is aligned within the case  52  from the fifth (e.g., bottom) side of the case  52  to the side of the case  52  including the open end  58 , or a sixth (e.g., top) side of the case  52 , as further discussed below. The elongation of each of the products  54  defines an axis of elongation that intersects the fifth (e.g. bottom) side and the sixth (e.g., top) side. The product  54  is disposed in the case  54  such that the product packages are arranged side-by-side in the chamber  32  in a single row in which the packages are substantially parallel to the next package. 
     When the case  52  is loaded with the product  54 , the user may fold and fasten some or all of the upper flaps  26   a - 26   d  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . For example, the user folds along the fold lines  30  and fastens the first, third, and fourth upper flaps  26   a    26   c ,  26   d . The upper flaps  26   a - 26   d  may not entirely enclose the chamber  32  and may, for example, define an opening  60  (as is the case with respect to the blanks  14  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). However, all of the upper flaps  26   a - 26   d  aid with securing the product  54  by providing a sixth wall of the case  52  such that the product  54  is at least partially enclosed from all 6 sides. The upper flaps, including the upper flap  26   b , may inhibit the product  54  from extending outside a plane of the sixth wall of the case  52  or onto the glued upper flaps  26   a ,  26   c . In the construction corresponding to the blank  14  shown in  FIG. 4 , the user folds along the fold lines  30  and fastens the first, second, third, and fourth upper flaps  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c , and  26   d , effectively enclosing the chamber  32 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . For example, the user may fold the second and fourth upper flaps  26   b ,  26   d  over the open end  58  and use glue  56 , or any other suitable fastener, to fasten the first and second section  26   a ,  26   c  to the top, or outside, of the second and fourth upper flaps  26   b ,  26   d , effectively forming the sixth (e.g., top) side of the case  52 . 
     Thus, the case  52  may include a plurality of walls or sides defining and at least partially enclosing the chamber  32  inside for receiving the product  54 . For purposes of description herein, a first side  72  is defined as the side having the handle  40  and a second side  74  is defined as the adjacent side including the upper flaps  26   a - d . The walls may be generally planar or curved. The case  52  may form, for example, a polyhedron shape at least partially enclosing the chamber  32 . In the illustrated construction, the case  52  includes six orthogonal sides forming a generally parallelepiped structure, such as a rectangular cuboid, in which the sides substantially enclose the chamber  32 . However, any other three dimensional enclosure of any shape may be employed. Furthermore, the sides of the case  52  substantially enclose the chamber  32  on all sides of the case  52  such that the product  54  is contained in the chamber  32  ( FIGS. 9-10 ). When assembled, the tear portion  36  is at least partially disposed on at least two sides of the case  52 . For example, in the illustrated construction, the tear portion  36  is partially defined on four sides of the case  52 . The tear portion  36  defines at least 30% of the total surface area on one of the sides of the case  52  (e.g. the first side  72  in  FIGS. 9 and 10  and/or the second side  74  in  FIG. 10 ) and defines less than 30% of the total surface area on two of the other two sides (e.g. the side including the first section  22   a  and the side including the third section  22   c ). Furthermore, at least two of the sides of the tear portion  36  are adjacent. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the tear portion  36  is disposed on the first side  72  and the second side  74  adjacent to the first side  72 . 
     The case  52  is sized generally to receive a plurality of the product  54 , such as food products. The case  52  inner dimensions are similar to the corresponding dimensions of the blank  14  (e.g., length C, height D, width E) and should be understood to be illustrated, by way of the blank  14 , in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 . The case  52  outer dimensions are also similar to the corresponding dimensions of the blank  14  discussed above, but may include a slight addition to account for material thickness on all sides (e.g., by adding 0.0625 in. to 1.0 in. to the dimension). Thus, overall, the case  52  dimensions may range from about 1 in. cuboid to about 6 feet cuboid. More specifically, the case  52  inner dimensions range from about 2 in. cuboid to about 36 in. cuboid. Even more specifically, the case  52  inner dimensions range from about 2 in. cuboid to about 24 in. cuboid. Even more specifically, the case  52  inner dimensions range from about 2 in. cuboid to about 16 in. cuboid. In the illustrated construction applying the blank  14  of  FIG. 1 , the case  52  may have the inner dimensions of about 8 in. by about 4 in. by about 10 in., e.g., 7.9 in. by about 4.3 in. by about 9.7 in. In the illustrated construction applying the blank  14  of  FIG. 2 , the case  52  may have inner dimensions of about 9 in. by about 4 in. by about 10 in., e.g., 8.8 in. by about 4.1 in. by about 9.7 in. In the illustrated construction applying the blank  14  of  FIG. 4 , the case  52  may have inner dimensions of about 9 in. by about 4 in. by about 10 in., e.g., 8.8 in. by about 4.1 in. by about 9.7 in. In the context of the inner dimensions, the term “about” means plus or minus 2 in. (e.g. 8±2 in. by 4±2 in. by 10±2 in.). Other dimensions are also possible. 
       FIGS. 11-13  illustrate the tear support piece  16 . In a preferred construction, the tear support piece  16  is a separate piece of material  62  from the blank  14 , meaning that the tear support piece  16  is not merely a flap of the blank  14  formed along fold lines, but an unattached piece. However, in other constructions, the tear support piece  16  may be coupled to the blank  14 , formed with the blank  14 , integrated into the blank  14  (e.g., as an additional layer of material), etc. In the illustrated construction, the tear support piece  16  is generally planar and may have the same or varying thickness in generally the same plane; however, in other constructions, the tear support piece  16  may be bent or curved. The tear support piece  16  may be formed from a piece of material  62 , such as a stock material that is cut into the tear support piece  16  or a material formed directly as the tear support piece  16 . In the illustrated construction, the tear support piece  16  is formed from a piece of corrugated cardboard, which may have sinusoidal corrugations or other suitable types of corrugations. For example, in  FIGS. 11-12 , the tear support piece  16  has a corrugation direction U. The tear support piece  16  may be formed from the same or a different type of material from the blank  14 . However, other types of materials, such as other types of cardboard, card stock, other paper materials, fibers, fabrics, plastics, polymers, resins, metals, composites, etc., or any mixture thereof, may be employed. 
     The tear support piece  16  is generally rectangular in the illustrated construction and may include tapers  64  at opposite longitudinal ends. However, in other constructions, the tear support piece  16  may have other shapes and sizes. The tear support piece  16  includes a first section  66  and a second section  68  divided by a fold line  70 . In the illustrated construction, the tear support piece  16  includes a single fold line  70  and therefore has a substantially L-shape when bent at the fold line  70 ; however, in other constructions, the tear support piece  16  may include two or more fold lines  70  dividing the tear support piece  16  into three or more corresponding sections. The tear support piece  16  is sized to fit within outer dimensions of the case  52  when the tear support piece  16  is bent at the fold line  70 . For example, in  FIGS. 11-12 , the tear support piece  16  has the overall dimensions of about 5 in. to about 20 in. in the length P by about 2 in. to about 16 in. in the width Q. More specifically, the length P is about 13 in. and the width Q is about 4 in. In the context of the length P and the width Q, the term “about” means plus or minus three tenths inch (e.g. the length P is 13±0.3 in. in  FIG. 11 ), though the length P and the width Q may take on any dimension that falls within the dimensions of the case  52 . The first section  66  of the tear support piece  16  may be defined by a first section length R by the width Q. The second section  68  of the tear support piece  16  may be defined by a second section length S by the width Q. The dimensions of the first section  66  are about 2 in. to about 10 in. in the first section length R by about 2 in. to about 16 in. in the width Q, though the first section  66  may also be scaled, skewed, or disproportionately enlarged or reduced to any other size. The dimensions of the second section  68  are about 3 in. to about 18 in. in the second section length S by about 2 in. to about 16 in. in the width Q, though the second section  68  may also be scaled, skewed, or disproportionately enlarged or reduced to any other size. More specifically, the first section  66  is about 5 in. in the first section length R by about 4 in. in the width Q and the second section  68  is about 8 in. in the second section length S by about 4 in. in the width Q. In the context of the first section length R, the second section length S, and the width Q, the term “about” means plus or minus three tenths inch (e.g. the first section length R is 8±0.3 in. in  FIG. 11 ). In other constructions, other sizes generally within the outer dimensions of the case  52  may be selected. 
       FIGS. 11-12  illustrate where glue  56  is applied to the tear support piece  16  in order to couple the tear support piece  16  to the case  52 , which will be explained in greater detail below. A user may apply any type of fastening or fastener as discussed above, such as gluing. For example, in the illustrated construction, glue  56  is applied in parallel lines on the section  66  of the tear support piece  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 11-12 . Furthermore, the glue  56  is applied as two lines of consecutive dots on substantially the length S of the second section  68  in  FIG. 11  and applied as two lines on substantially the length S of the second section  68  in  FIG. 12 . Any type of fastening or fasteners as discussed above, as well as, any type of pattern or direction of applying the fastener may be used in order to couple the tear support piece  16  to the case  52 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates the tear support piece  16  formed in the substantially L-shape when the user bends the tear support piece  16  along the fold line  70 . In other constructions, the tear support piece  16  may include two or more fold lines  70 , changing the shape the tear support piece  16  forms when the user bends the tear support piece  16  along the fold lines  70 . In the illustrated construction, the fold line  70  is aligned with an edge between the first and second sides  72 ,  74  of the case  52 , as further discussed below. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates assembly of the shipping container  10 , which includes the case  52  and the tear support piece  16  coupled together. The user takes the packed case  52  ( FIG. 9 or 10 ) and substantially covers the second side  74  with the tear support piece  16  ( FIG. 13 ). Specifically, the user couples the tear support piece  16  to the case  52  over the second side  74  and couples the tear support piece  16  to the tear portion  36 . Even more specifically, the user may couple the tear support piece  16  (e.g., the second section  68 ) to or over the second side  74  and substantially cover the opening  60  of the case  52  ( FIG. 9 ), e.g., some or all of the upper flaps  26   a - 26   d , e.g., the first, second, and third upper flaps  26   a - 26   c . Notably, regarding the first and second constructions of the blank  14  (relating to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), the tear support piece  16  is not glued to the fourth upper flap  26   d , which will be explained in greater detail below. The user aligns the fold line  70  with an edge between the first and second sides  72 ,  74  of the case  52 . The user also couples the tear support piece  16  (e.g., the first section  66 ) to or over the first side  72  (e.g., the second section  22   b ) of the case  52 . Coupling may include any type of fastening or fastener discussed above, such as gluing. Thus, the tear support piece  16  is disposed on two sides  72 ,  74  of the case  52 . However, in other constructions, the tear support piece  16  may be disposed on one side of the case  52  or three or more sides of the case  52  depending on the number of fold lines  70  on the tear support piece  16 . Preferably, the tear support piece  16  is disposed in a tear zone  84  defined by the tear portion  36  (and, if the first or second blank  14  constructions are used, further defined by the opening  60 ) in an area generally bounded by the tear lines  34 . The tear zone extends preferably onto at least two sides of the case  52 . The tear support piece  16  may also preferably be disposed adjacent, or directly adjacent, to the handle  40 . Referring to  FIG. 14 , the shipping container  10  may include either construction of the case  52  as shown in  FIG. 9 or 10  such that the tear support piece  16  substantially covers the opening  60  defined by the upper flaps  26   a - 26   d  as shown in  FIG. 9  or substantially covers the second side  74  formed from the upper flaps  26   a - 26   d  as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9-10 , the tear portion  36  of the shipping container  10  includes a first substantially planar surface, such as the second section  22   b  and/or the upper flap  26   b , and first edges defined at least partially along a perimeter of the second section  22   b  and the upper flap  26   b . As illustrated in  FIGS. 12-13 , the tear support piece  16  includes a second substantially planar surface, such as the first section  66  and/or the second section  68 , and second edges defined at least partially along a perimeter of the first and second sections  66 ,  68 . The substantially planar surface of the second section  22   b  of the case  52  is configured to be couplable to the substantially planar surface of the second section  66  of the tear support piece  16 , and the substantially planar surface of the upper flap  26   b  is configured to be coupleable to the substantially planar surface of the first section  66  of the tear support piece  16 . Coupling the tear support piece  16  to the case  52  planar surface to planar surface (in contrast with edge to edge) increases the thickness of the shipping container  10 . In other words, the tear support piece  16  is coupled to the tear portion  36  such that the tear portion  36  provides a first layer of material and the tear support piece  16  provides a second layer of material. Moreover, the tear support piece  16  is configured to provide the second layer of material such that a thickness of the shipping container  10  increases in which the thickness is defined between an interior of the shipping container  10  and an exterior of the shipping container  10  ( FIG. 14 ). The tear support piece  16  coupled to the tear portion  36  may thereby add rigidity to the tear portion  36  to facilitate divisibility of the tear portion  36  and the display portion  38 . 
     The shipping container  10  holds, secures, and substantially encloses the product  54  for shipping. The first and third sections  22   a ,  22   c  are generally flat because no flaps are glued thereto and therefore provide suitable surfaces for gluing two adjacent shipping containers  10  together, as shown in  FIG. 15 . The first and third sections  22   a ,  22   c  are also, in the illustrated construction, elongated. The dimensions of the shipping container  10  are defined by a width X, a length Y, and a height Z ( FIG. 14 ). These dimensions (the width X, the length Y, and the height Z) correspond to the dimensions of the blank  14  (the width E, the length C, and the height D), as described above. For example, the width X, the length Y, and the height Z may be equal to the width E, the length C, and the height D. In some constructions, the width X, the length Y, and the height Z may include a slight addition to account for material thickness on all sides (e.g., by adding 0.0625 in. to 1.0 in. to the corresponding dimension of the blank  14 ). Thus, the values of the width X, the length Y, and the height Z need not be described again as reference is made to the values, and ranges of values, discussed above. Similarly, as described above, the shipping container  10  may also be scaled, skewed, or disproportionately enlarged or reduced to any other size. For example, the dimensions of the first and third sections  22   a ,  22   c  are defined by the length Y and the height Z. In the illustrated construction, the length Y is about 10 in. and the height Z is about 8 or 9 in., but may have other elongated dimensions in other constructions. In the context of the length Y and the height Z, the term “about” means plus or minus half inch. (e.g. the length Y is 10±0.5 in. and the height Z is 8 or 9±0.5 in. in  FIG. 1 ). Using the length Y as a reference for the overall dimensions, the width X is 35%-55% of the length Y, and the height Z is 75%-95% of the length Y. However, in other constructions, the overall dimensions may have any value having any relative proportion. The features of the invention (such as the viewing hole  82 , the tear portion  36 , the handle  40 , the display portion  38 , etc.) do not depend on the specific dimensions, or can be similarly scaled or skewed to corresponding dimensions and can thus be adapted for any overall shape and size. 
     Thus, the first and third sections  22   a ,  22   c  form tall side walls in the shipping configuration, and in the display configuration which will be described below, to aid in supporting the product  54  within. The product  54  may be formed of elongated flexible material or packaging that is less stable on its own without the aid of a support structure. In other constructions, the product  54  need not be elongated. Generally, the dimensions of the shipping container  10  correspond closely with the dimensions of the product  54 , or, more specifically, a plurality (such as a stack) of the product  54 . For example, the product  54  may include packaged food, such as cheese, meats, crackers, nuts, etc. In other constructions, the product  54  may include non-edible products, such as printed media (e.g., brochures, pamphlets, books, maps, etc.), paper products (e.g., envelopes, stationery, etc.), or any other stackable or standing products. 
       FIGS. 16-18  illustrate conversion of the shipping container  10  to the display container  12 . For example, when the shipping container  10  reaches a retailer, the retailer may convert the shipping container  10  to the display container  12  and place the display container  12  directly on a shelf viewed by consumers without having to remove the product  54  from the chamber  32  for stocking. As shown in  FIG. 16 , a user inserts one or more fingers into the handle  40  and applies a pull force (e.g., in a direction generally parallel to the first side  72 ) on the tear portion  36  to separate, detach, and remove the tear portion  36  and the tear support piece  16  along the tear lines  34  in a removal stroke ( FIG. 17 ). During the removal stroke, the tear support piece  16  provides rigidity and strength to the tear portion  36  to discourage tearing of the material  18  that is not within the tear lines  34 , thereby encouraging clean tearing along the tear lines  34 . The tear support piece  16 , being disposed on two transverse sides  72 ,  74  of the shipping container  10 , also facilitates transfer of the pulling force as the tear transitions from the first side  72  to the second side  74 . The user is not required to pull in a second lateral direction during the removal stroke because the tear support piece  16  is not fully coupled along a distal edge  76  ( FIGS. 11-14 ) to one of the upper flaps  26   a - 26   d  forming the sixth wall, e.g., to the fourth upper flap  26   d  in the first and second constructions of the blank  14  or to the first and third upper flaps  26   a ,  26   c  in the third construction of the blank  14 . Thus, the distal edge  76  is effectively pre-torn. As such, the tear support piece  16  can be torn cleanly from the first and second sides  72 ,  74  in a generally single motion. The tear support piece  16  may be disposed adjacent the handle  40 , which also facilitates clean tearing of the tear portion  36  throughout the removal stroke. The angle of the tear lines  34 , and the tear lines  34  extending continuously away from the handle  40  (i.e., continuously increasing in distance laterally away from the handle  40  in the direction A), may also facilitate clean tearing of the tear portion  36  throughout the removal stroke. Furthermore, the user may only need to use one hand in order to remove the tear portion  36  and the tear support piece  16  from the display portion  38  such that the removal of the tear portion  36  is conducted in a single removal stroke. Therefore, the display portion  38  is convertible into (e.g. becomes) the display container  12  by removal of the tear portion  36  and the tear support piece  16  coupled to the tear portion  36  from the display portion  38 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates the display container  12  displaying the product  54 . Removal of the tear portion  36  creates a top opening  80  on the second side  74  connected to a display opening  78  on the first side  72  all the way to the fourth elongated side  44 . The convex edge  48  provides for additional material being left behind on the display portion  38  when the tear portion  36  is removed, in contrast with a straight horizontal edge. Thus, the convex edge  48  defines an indicia region  50  in which logos, images, brands, text, marks, and other indicia can be displayed. A length F, shown in  FIGS. 1,2, and 4 , determines the height of the region  50  (e.g. the height from the convex edge  48  to the fold lines  30  between the first side  72  and a side of the displaying container  12  including the lower flaps  24   a - 24   d ). In  FIG. 1 , the height F is about 3 in. In  FIGS. 2  and  4 , the height F is about 2.8 in. In the context of the height F, “about” means plus or minus 1 inch. The indicia region  50  is featured adjacent the product  54  for providing information to the consumer about the product  54 , for example, or for other desired purposes. 
     The sections  26   a ,  26   c , which provide the side walls of the display container  12 , frictionally engage side edges of the product  54 . Furthermore, the upper flaps  26   a ,  26   c ,  26   d  provide a partial top wall to frictionally engage top edges of the product  54 . This frictional engagement between the display container  12  and the product  54  aids in maintaining product orientation and inhibits falling forward of the product  54 . 
     Furthermore, because there are no flaps in a width direction X extending between the first and third sections  22   a ,  22   c , the overall width of the shipping container  10  is reduced thereby reducing consumption of shelf space when the display container  12  is displayed. 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate the tear portion  36  removed from the display portion  38  after conversion from the shipping container  10  to the display container  12 . The tear portion  36  in  FIG. 19  includes the tear support piece  16 , the upper flap  26   b , the first side  72  up to the fourth elongated side  44  of the handle  40 , a portion of the first section  22   a  adjacent the first side  72 , and a portion of the third section  22   c  adjacent the first side  72  and opposite the portion of the first section  22   a . The tear portion  36  in  FIG. 20  includes the tear support piece  16 , the upper flap  26   b , a portion of the upper flap  26   a , a portion of the upper flap  26   c , the first side  72  up to the fourth elongated side  44  of the handle  40 , a portion of the first section  22   a  adjacent the first side  72 , and a portion of the third section  22   c  adjacent the first side  72  and opposite the portion of the first section  22   a . Notably, the handle  40  is included in the tear portion  36  removed from the display portion  38 , where the handle  40  defined a portion of the border between the display portion  38  and the tear portion  36  on the first side  72 , before the tear portion  36  is removed from the display portion  38 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 21 , the viewing hole  82  is located on the display container  12  when the tear portion  36  is removed from the display portion  38  (i.e., the viewing hole is located on the display portion  38 ). In the illustrated construction, the viewing hole is located opposite the first side  72  (e.g. the side including the second section  22   b  having the handle  40 ) of the tear portion  36 ; therefore, the viewing hole  82  is opposite one of the sides that is largely removed and adjacent another one of the sides that is largely removed. The viewing hole  82  may be seen once some or all of the product has been removed from the display container  12 . A retailer or consumer may use the viewing hole  82  to locate a shipping container  10  located behind the display container  12 . For example, when the display container  12  is empty or partially empty, a user may look through the viewing hole  82  to determine whether another shipping container  10  is stocked behind the display container  12  or whether additional containers need to be brought out to the retail area. 
     Thus, the disclosure provides, among other things, a convertible shipping container  10  and a method of displaying a product  54 . The shipping container  10  reduces the overall amount of material required, provides a more efficient design, facilitates cleaner tearing, provides flat sides so adjacent shipping containers  10  can be glued together, reduces overall width of the display container  12  by eliminating flaps in the display width direction thereby reducing consumption of shelf space, and allows the user to view behind the display container  12 . 
     Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.