Patent Publication Number: US-9902542-B2

Title: Container apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Containers and other types of packaging are known to be sold with a sleeve thereon that provides product information to the consumer. Such sleeves are often referred to as heat shrinkable films. The use of such sleeves permits the same base container to be used to contain different products because the manufacturing facility only needs to provide an appropriately labeled sleeve to the container for identification of the product contained therein. However, many states or municipalities therein are unable to recycle the container with the sleeve thereon. Thus, there remains a need to enable consumers to easily remove the sleeve from the container and to encourage consumers to facilitate the removal of the sleeve from the container prior to recycling. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention may be directed, in one aspect, to a container apparatus including a container and a sleeve circumscribing at least a portion of the container. The container may include a body and a cap. The sleeve may include tamper evident features and may maintain the container in a closed and packaged state prior to purchase and use by a consumer. The sleeve may include different pre-weakened or perforated sections to permit the consumer to remove a first portion of the sleeve to permit the user to open the container and use the product therein without also removing a second portion of the sleeve which may contain product information. The sleeve may then include an additional pre-weakened or perforated section to permit the consumer to remove the second portion of the sleeve after the container is empty for sustainability purposes so that the container is more readily recyclable. 
     In one aspect, the invention may be a container apparatus comprising: a container extending from a bottom end to a top end along an axis, the container comprising: a body having a cavity for containing a material; and a cap coupled to the body; a sleeve circumscribing at least a portion of container, the sleeve having a first pre-weakened section that divides the sleeve into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the sleeve comprising a second pre-weakened section and the second portion of the sleeve comprising a third pre-weakened section; and wherein the second and third pre-weakened sections are circumferentially offset from one another. 
     In another aspect, the invention may be container apparatus comprising: a container extending along an axis, the container comprising: a body having a cavity for containing a material; a dispensing orifice in spatial communication with the cavity; a cap coupled to the body, the cap alterable between: (1) a first state in which the cap closes the dispensing orifice; and (2) a second state in which the dispensing orifice is open; a sleeve on the container, the sleeve comprising: a first pre-weakened section that delineates a first tear line that circumscribes the container, the first pre-weakened section dividing the sleeve into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the sleeve configured to prevent the cap from being altered from the first state into the second state when intact on the container, the second portion of the sleeve circumscribing at least a portion of the body; the first portion of the sleeve comprising a second pre-weakened section that delineates a second tear line that intersects the first tear line at a first point; the second portion of the sleeve comprising a third pre-weakened section that delineates a third tear line that intersects the first tear line at a second point, the first and second points being circumferentially offset from one another 
     In yet another aspect, the invention may be a blank for a container sleeve comprising: a sheet of material extending from a bottom edge to a top edge along an axis, the sheet of material having first and second side edges extending between the bottom and top edges; a first pre-weakened section extending between the first and second side edges of the sheet of material; a second pre-weakened section extending between the top edge of the sheet of material and the first pre-weakened section; a third pre-weakened section extending between the bottom edge of the sheet of material and the first pre-weakened section; and wherein the second and third pre-weakened sections are transversely spaced apart from one another. 
     In still another aspect, the invention may be a container apparatus comprising: a container extending from a bottom end to a top end along an axis, the container comprising: a body having a cavity for containing a material; and a cap coupled to the body; a sleeve circumscribing at least a portion of the container and extending from a bottom edge to a top edge, the sleeve having a first pre-weakened section that divides the sleeve into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the sleeve comprising a second pre-weakened section and the second portion of the sleeve comprising a third pre-weakened section; wherein the third pre-weakened section comprises an alternating arrangement of perforated segments and non-perforated segments, the non-perforated segments having a maximum length; and wherein the third pre-weakened section extends from the bottom edge of the sleeve to a location that is spaced an axial distance from the first pre-weakened section of the sleeve, the axial distance being greater than the maximum length. 
     In a further aspect, the invention may be a container apparatus comprising: a container extending from a bottom end to a top end along an axis, the container comprising: a body having a cavity for containing a material; and a cap coupled to the body; a sleeve circumscribing at least a portion of the container, the sleeve having a first pre-weakened section that divides the sleeve into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising a second pre-weakened section and the second portion comprising a third pre-weakened section; and wherein the first pre-weakened section has a first tear strength, the second pre-weakened section has a second tear strength, and the third pre-weakened section has a third tear strength, the third tear strength being greater than the first tear strength. 
     In a still further aspect, the invention may be a container apparatus comprising: a container extending from a bottom end to a top end along an axis, the container comprising: a body having a cavity for containing a material; and a cap coupled to the body; a sleeve circumscribing at least a portion of the container, the sleeve having a first pre-weakened section that divides the sleeve into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising a second pre-weakened section and the second portion comprising a third pre-weakened section; and wherein the first pre-weakened section has a first tear strength, the second pre-weakened section has a second tear strength, and the third pre-weakened section has a third tear strength, one of the first, second, and third tear strengths being different than at least one of the other of the first, second, and third tear strengths. 
     In another aspect, the invention may be a container apparatus comprising: a container extending from a bottom end to a top end along an axis, the container comprising: a body having a cavity for containing a material; and a cap coupled to the body; a sleeve extending from a bottom edge to a top edge and circumscribing at least a portion of the container, the sleeve having a first pre-weakened section that divides the sleeve into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising a second pre-weakened section extending from the top edge of the sleeve towards the first pre-weakened section and the second portion comprising a third pre-weakened section extending from the bottom edge of the sleeve towards the first pre-weakened section; wherein the second pre-weakened section comprises a first pair of spaced apart pre-weakened lines and a first removable strip between the first pair of spaced apart pre-weakened lines, the first removable strip comprising a first tear initiation indicia; and wherein the third pre-weakened section comprises a second pair of spaced apart pre-weakened lines and a second removable strip between the second pair of spaced apart pre-weakened lines, the second removable strip comprising a second tear initiation indicia located adjacent to the bottom end of the container. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a container apparatus illustrating a container and a sleeve in an exploded state; 
         FIG. 1B  is front perspective view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 1A  with the sleeve circumscribing at least a portion of the container; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 5  is a right-side view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 6  is a left-side view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 7  is a close-up view of area VII of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 1B  illustrating the sleeve being torn along a second pre-weakened section; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 1B  illustrating the sleeve being torn along a first pre-weakened section to detach a first portion of the sleeve from a second portion of the sleeve; 
         FIG. 10A  is a front perspective view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 1B  with the first portion of the sleeve separated from the container with a cap of the container in a closed state; 
         FIG. 10B  is a front perspective view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 1B  with the first portion of the sleeve separated from the container with the cap of the container in an open state; 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 1B  illustrating the sleeve being torn along a third pre-weakened section; 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 1B  illustrating the second portion of the sleeve being separated from the container; 
         FIG. 13  is a front perspective view illustrating the container and the second portion of the sleeve separated therefrom; 
         FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of a container apparatus illustrating a container with a sleeve thereon in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a rear perspective view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a right-side view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a left-side view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of a container apparatus illustrating a container with a sleeve thereon in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a right-side view of the container apparatus of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 19A  is a close-up of area XIX of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a front view of a blank of the sleeve of the container apparatus of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 21  is a front view of a blank of the sleeve of the container apparatus of  FIG. 14 ; and 
         FIG. 22  is a front view of a blank of the sleeve of the container apparatus of  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
     The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top,” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto. 
     As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls. 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 4  concurrently, a container apparatus  1000  comprising a container  100  and a sleeve  200  will be described. The container  100  extends from a bottom end  101  to a top end  102  along an axis A-A. Furthermore, the container  100  generally comprises a body  110  and a cap  140  coupled to the body  110 . A bottom surface  113  of the body  110  forms the bottom end  101  of the container  100  and a top surface  141  of the cap  140  forms the top end  102  of the container  100 . In the exemplified embodiment, the cap  140  is formed as a part of a lid assembly  150  that comprises the cap  140  and a skirt portion  151 . The skirt portion  15  of the lid assembly  150  is coupled to the body  110  of the container  100  and the cap  140  is coupled to the skirt portion  151  to as to be capable of being alternated between a closed state and an open state, as illustrated and described in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS. 10A and 10B . The positioning of the lid assembly  150  relative to the body  110  of the container  100  is best illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The body  110  comprises an inner surface  111  that defines a cavity  112  for containing the material. Furthermore, the container  100  comprises a dispensing orifice  105  in spatial communication with the cavity  112  to provide a passageway for the material stored within the cavity  112  to be dispensed from the cavity  112  for use by a consumer. The material contained or stored within the cavity  112  of the body  110  of the container  100  may be flowable such as a dentifrice, oral care fluid, shampoo, conditioner, soap, or the like or it may be solid or semi-solid such as a deodorant or the like. The viscosity of the material may vary depending on its application and use. The cap  140  may be alterable between a first state (i.e., a closed state as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A, 1B and 4 ) that closes the dispensing orifice  105  and prevents the material from being dispensed from the cavity  112  and a second state (i.e., an open state as illustrated in  FIG. 10B ) that permits the material in the cavity  112  to be dispensed via the dispensing orifice  105 . 
     The body  110  of the container  100  is preferably made of a non-porous material so that the body  110  of the container  100  is configured to contain a material such as those described above without the material leaching out prior to its being purposefully dispensed by a consumer or end user. Specifically, the body  110  of the container  100  is preferably formed of a plastic material. The material that forms the body  110  of the container  100  may be a rigid material having a sufficiently thin wall thickness to permit the body  110  to be squeezed to dispense the material therefrom. Of course, the exact material and rigidity of the body  110  of the container  100  is not to be limiting of the invention in all embodiments. Thus, in other embodiments the body  110  of the container  100  may be rigid and not capable of being squeezed, and in such embodiments an actuation mechanism may be included to facilitate dispensing of the material from the container  100  via the dispensing orifice  105 . The container  100  may include indicia or other product information thereon, or it may be devoid of such information, which may instead (or additional) be provided on the sleeve  200 . 
     Although a specific shape is provided for the container  100  in the exemplified embodiment, the invention is not to be limited by the shape of the container  100  in all embodiments and any shape is possible in various other embodiments. Furthermore, in certain instances the sleeve  200  is described as circumscribing the container  100 . This is not intended to limit the container  100  to any particular shape, such as one which has a circular cross-section. Rather, the container  100  may have any cross-sectional shape, and the term circumscribe as used herein merely means that the sleeve  200  is wrapped around the container  100  or portions thereof. 
     The sleeve  200  may function as both a label for the container  100  by having product information and other indicia provided on the sleeve  200  and a tamper-evident feature configured to maintain the container  100  in a closed state prior to purchase and use by a consumer and to inform the consumer (or other person such as a retail store employee) when the container apparatus  1000  has been tampered or interfered with prior to purchase. The sleeve  200  may be formed of a material known for its use as a heat shrink film, such as a polymer plastic film including those made of polyvinyl chloride, polyolefin, polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like. Furthermore, the sleeve  200  may have distinct pre-weakened sections including a first pre-weakened section  210  and a second pre-weakened section  230  that collectively permit a first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  to be detached from a second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  and separated from the container  100  and a third pre-weakened section  230  that permits the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  to be separated from the container  100 . In certain embodiments, the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  may be an upper portion of the sleeve  200  and the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  may be a lower portion of the sleeve  200 . 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates the container apparatus  1000  with the sleeve  200  separate from the container  100  prior to the sleeve  200  being coupled to or otherwise positioned on or wrapped around the container  100 . In certain embodiments, the sleeve  200  may be a shrink wrap sleeve such that the sleeve  200  is positioned on the container  100  and then heat (via an electric or gas heat gun or a heat tunnel on a conveyor or the like) is applied to the sleeve, thereby causing the sleeve  200  to shrink to be tightly wrapped onto the container  100 . Specifically, the sleeve  200  in its non-shrunk state is larger than the outer surface of the container  100 . The sleeve  200  is wrapped around the container  100  and then heat is applied to the sleeve  200 , which causes the sleeve  200  to shrink until the sleeve  200  is snugly wrapped around the container  100 . Techniques for coupling a shrink wrap sleeve to a container are well known in the art. Of course, the invention is not limited to shrink wrap sleeves and the sleeve  200  may be coupled to the container  100  using other techniques in other embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1B-4 , various views are provided illustrating the sleeve  200  positioned on the container  100 . Specifically, the sleeve  200  is positioned on the container  100  (via shrink wrap techniques or otherwise) so as to circumscribe at least a portion of the container  100  (as noted above, the term “circumscribe” is not in any way limiting of the shape or cross-sectional shape of the container  100 ). The sleeve  200  extends from a bottom edge  203  to a top edge  204 . In the exemplified embodiment, the bottom edge  203  of the sleeve  200  is located at or adjacent to the bottom end  101  of the container  100  formed by a bottom surface  113  of the body  110  and the top edge  204  of the sleeve is located at the top end  102  of the container  100  formed by a top surface  141  of the cap  140 . Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the sleeve  200  circumscribes the container  100  along its entire height between the bottom and top ends  101 ,  102  thereof. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment a portion of the sleeve  200  extends onto and covers a portion of the top surface  141  of the cap  140 , which enhances the tamper-evident functionality of the sleeve  200  by preventing the cap  140  from opening while the sleeve  200  is positioned on the container  100 . However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the sleeve  200  need not circumscribe the container  100  along its entire length in all embodiments. However, it is generally preferred that the sleeve  200  circumscribe at least a portion of the body  110  of the container  100  and a portion of the cap  140  of the container  100  so that the sleeve  200  may function as a tamper-evident structure as described above. Specifically, so long as the sleeve  200  circumscribes a portion of the cap  140 , a consumer or retail employee can determine whether the cap has been opened prior to purchase because tampering would be evident on the sleeve  200  which would need to be torn to permit opening of the cap  140 . 
     As noted above, the sleeve  200  comprises a first pre-weakened section  210  that divides the sleeve into the first portion (or upper portion)  201  and the second portion (or lower portion)  202 . The first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  is the portion of the sleeve  200  located between the first pre-weakened section  210  and the top edge  204  of the sleeve  200  and the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  is the portion of the sleeve  200  located between the first pre-weakened section  210  and the bottom edge  203  of the sleeve  200 . The first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  is configured to prevent the cap  140  from being altered from the first state (closed) to the second state (open) when the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  remains intact on the container  100 . In that regard, in the exemplified embodiment the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  circumscribes at least a portion of the cap  140 , and more specifically extends to overlay atop of a portion of the top surface  141  of the cap  140 . This prevents the cap  150  from being opened while the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  is intact on the container  200 . The second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  circumscribes at least a portion of the body  110  of the container  100 . In the exemplified embodiment, the second portion  202  of the sleeve  202  extends all the way to the bottom surface  113  of the body  110 , but this is not required in all embodiments and the bottom edge  203  of the sleeve  200  may terminate at any location along the length of the body  110  of the container  100  in other embodiments. 
     When the sleeve  200  is positioned on the container  100 , an inner surface  205  of the sleeve  200  is adjacent to and possibly in surface contact with an outer surface  103  of the container  100 . The sleeve  200  is preferably shrunk-fit onto the container  100  to form a tight fit between the sleeve  200  and the container  100  to prevent the sleeve  200  from being separated from the container  100  until actively pursued by the consumer as discussed in more detail below. As discussed in greater detail below, in order to permit a user to dispense the material contents from the container, the user tears away the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  while leaving the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  intact on the container  100 . The second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  may include important product information or the like rendering it desirable to leave the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  on the container  100  until the container  100  is empty. 
     Thus, in certain embodiments the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  cannot be slid off of the container  100  without tearing the sleeve  200  along the third pre-weakened section  230 . This prevention of removal of the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  without tearing along the third pre-weakened section  230  of the sleeve  200  is achieved in the exemplified embodiment by forming the portion of the body  110  of the container  100  that is circumscribed by the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  with a first traverse cross-sectional area A 1  at a first axial position, a second traverse cross-sectional area A 2  at a second axial position, and a third traverse cross-sectional area A 3  at a third axial position, the second axial position being located between the first and third axial positions. Furthermore, the second traverse cross-sectional area A 2  is greater than each of the first and third traverse cross-sectional areas A 1 , A 3 . Having a greater cross-sectional area in between two lesser cross-sectional area sections of the container  100  prevents the second portion  202  sleeve  200  from being axially slid off of the container  100  prematurely even after the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  has been removed from the container  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1B, 2, 5, and 6  concurrently, the container apparatus  1000 , and more specifically the details of the sleeve  200 , will be further described. As noted above, the sleeve  200  comprises first, second, and third pre-weakened sections  210 ,  220 ,  230  that facilitate detaching portions of the sleeve  200  from each other and separating them from the container  100  as described in more detail below. In the exemplified embodiment, each of the first, second, and third pre-weakened sections  210 ,  220 ,  230  comprise perforations or regions of the sleeve  200  that include an alternating arrangement of perforated segments and non-perforated segments. These pre-weakened sections  210 ,  220 ,  230  facilitate tearing of the sleeve  200  at the pre-weakened sections  210 ,  220 ,  230 . Although illustrated herein as being perforations, the pre-weakened sections  210 ,  220 ,  230  may be other structural features that permit and in fact make it easier to tear of the sleeve  200  at the first, second, and third pre-weekend sections  210 ,  220 ,  230  as described herein below. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the first pre-weakened section  210  of the sleeve  200  circumscribes the container  100  around an entire circumference of the container  100 . The term circumference is not intended to be limiting of the shape of the container  100 , but rather is merely intended to refer to the outer periphery of the container  100  irrespective of its shape. Thus, the container  100  may have a cross-sectional shape that is circular, or one which is polygonal such as square, rectangular, triangular, or the like. Stating that the sleeve  200  circumscribes the container  100  around an entire circumference thereof merely means that the sleeve  200  is wrapped around the outer periphery of the container  100  without any limit to the cross-sectional shape of the container  100 . The invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the first pre-weakened section  210  may not extend about the entire circumference of the container  100  in other embodiments. In the exemplified embodiment, the first pre-weakened section  210  of the sleeve  200  extends horizontally or transverse to the axis A-A of the container  100 . Specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the first pre-weakened section  210  comprises a pre-weakened line  211  that extends substantially horizontally or transverse to the axis A-A. Although illustrated herein as a single pre-weakened line  211 , the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the first pre-weakened section  210  may comprise two (i.e., a pair) or more pre-weakened lines in other embodiments as described herein. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the first pre-weakened section  210  need not be exactly transverse to the axis A-A in all embodiments and it may intersect the axis A-A at an oblique angle in some embodiments. Thus, the first pre-weakened section  210  may extend diagonally, in a curved, wavy, or sinusoidal manner, or the like. It is merely preferable that the first pre-weakened section  210  extend about most or an entirety of the circumference of the body  110  of the container  100  to divide the sleeve  200  into the first and second portions (i.e., upper and lower portions)  201 ,  202  as described herein. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the first pre-weakened section  210  extends along or delineates a first tear line TL 1 . The first tear line TL 1  is a reference line that is coextensive along the first pre-weakened section  210 . The first tear line TL 1  is not necessarily a pre-weakened line in the sleeve, but rather is a reference line delineated by the first pre-weakened section  210 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the second pre-weakened section  220  of the sleeve  200  is located entirely in the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  between the first pre-weakened section  210  and the top edge  204  of the sleeve  200 . More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the second pre-weakened section  220  of the sleeve  200  extends from the top edge  204  of the sleeve  200  to the first pre-weakened section  200  of the sleeve  200 . In this embodiment, the second pre-weakened section  220  does not extend onto the second portion  201  of the sleeve  200  and thus does not extend beyond the first pre-weakened section  210  of the sleeve. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the second pre-weakened section  220  of the sleeve  200  may be located between the top edge  204  of the sleeve  200  and the first pre-weakened section  210  of the sleeve  200  without extending all the way to one or both of the top edge  204  and the first pre-weakened section  200 . Thus, the second pre-weakened section  220  may be spaced from one or both of the top edge  204  and the first pre-weakened section  200  in some embodiments. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the second pre-weakened section  220  extends substantially vertically in the direction of the axis A-A of the container  200  such that the second pre-weakened section  220  extends in a manner that is substantially perpendicular to the first pre-weakened section  210 . However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the second pre-weakened section  220  may extend in an oblique manner relative to the first pre-weakened section  210  in some embodiments. Thus, rather than extending directly in an upward-downward direction as shown in  FIG. 6 , the second pre-weakened section  220  may also extend diagonally. Furthermore, the second pre-weakened section  220  may extend in a curved, wavy, or sinusoidal manner or the like in other embodiments. Regardless of the exact path that the second pre-weakened section  220  takes, it is merely desirable that it extends most or the entirety of the distance between the top edge  204  of the sleeve  200  and the first pre-weakened section  210 . Thus, the illustration of the second pre-weekend section  220  is exemplary in nature and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention in all embodiments. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the second pre-weakened section  220  comprises a first pair of pre-weakened lines  221   a ,  221   b  and a first removable strip  222  located between the first pair of pre-weakened lines  221   a ,  221   b . However, in other embodiments the second pre-weakened section  220  may comprise just a single pre-weakened line rather than the pair of pre-weakened lines  221   a ,  221   b . In the exemplified embodiment, the pair of pre-weakened lines  221   a ,  221   b  are oriented so as to diverge with distance from the first pre-weakened section  210  towards the top edge  204  of the sleeve  200  and the top end  102  of the container  100 . Thus, the two pre-weakened lines  221   a ,  221   b  are spaced further apart from one another the closer they are to the top edge  204  of the sleeve  200 . Of course, in other embodiments the two pre-weakened lines  221   a ,  221   b  may be oriented parallel to one another or in other configurations. 
     The second pre-weakened section  220  extends from a first end  223  that is located at or adjacent to the top edge  204  of the sleeve to a second end  224  that is located at or adjacent to the first pre-weakened section  220 . The second pre-weakened section  220  extends along or delineates a second tear line TL 2 . The second tear line TL 2  is a reference line that is coextensive along the second pre-weakened section  220 . The second tear line TL 2  is not necessarily a pre-weakened line in the sleeve, but rather is a reference line delineated by the second pre-weakened section  220  (or, thought of another way, it is the axis of the second pre-weakened section  220  extending between the first and second ends  223 ,  224  thereof). The second tear line TL 2  may extend beyond the second pre-weakened section  220  as a natural extension thereof (like an axis as noted above). Thus, even if the second pre-weakened section  220  does not intersect and is spaced from the first pre-weakened section  210 , the second tear line TL 2  will intersect the first pre-weakened section  210  and the first tear line TL 1 . In the exemplified embodiment, the second tear line TL 2  intersects the first tear line TL 1  at a first point P 1 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the third pre-weakened section  230  of the sleeve  200  is located entirely in the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  between the first pre-weakened section  210  and the bottom edge  203  of the sleeve  200 . More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the third pre-weakened section  230  of the sleeve  200  extends from the bottom edge  203  of the sleeve  200  to the first pre-weakened section  200  of the sleeve  200 . Thus, in this embodiment no portion of the third pre-weakened section  230  extends onto the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200 . However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the third pre-weakened section  230  of the sleeve  200  may be located between the bottom edge  203  of the sleeve  200  and the first pre-weakened section  210  of the sleeve  200  without extending all the way to one or both of the bottom edge  203  and the first pre-weakened section  200 . Thus, the third pre-weakened section  230  may be spaced from one or both of the bottom edge  203  and the first pre-weakened section  200  in some embodiments. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the third pre-weakened section  230  extends substantially vertically in the direction of the axis A-A of the container  200  such that the third pre-weakened section  230  extends in a manner that is substantially perpendicular to the first pre-weakened section  210 . However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the third pre-weakened section  230  may extend in an oblique manner relative to the first pre-weakened section  210  in some embodiments. Thus, rather than extending directly in an upward-downward direction as shown in  FIG. 5 , the third pre-weakened section  230  may also extend diagonally. Furthermore, the third pre-weakened section  230  may extend in a curved, wavy, or sinusoidal manner or the like in other embodiments. Regardless of the exact path that the third pre-weakened section  230  takes, it is merely desirable that it extends most or the entirety of the distance between the bottom edge  203  of the sleeve  200  and the first pre-weakened section  210 . Thus, the illustration of the third pre-weekend section  230  is exemplary in nature and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention in all embodiments. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the third pre-weakened section  230  comprises a second pair of pre-weakened lines  231   a ,  231   b  and a second removable strip  232  located between the second pair of pre-weakened lines  231   a ,  231   b . However, in other embodiments the third pre-weakened section  230  may comprise just a single pre-weakened line rather than the pair of pre-weakened lines  231   a ,  231   b . In the exemplified embodiment, the pair of pre-weakened lines  231   a ,  231   b  are oriented so as to diverge with distance from the first pre-weakened section  210  towards the bottom edge  203  of the sleeve  200  and the bottom end  101  of the container  100 . Thus, the two pre-weakened lines  231   a ,  231   b  are spaced further apart from one another the closer they are to the bottom edge  203  of the sleeve  200 . Of course, in other embodiments the two pre-weakened lines  231   a ,  231   b  may be oriented parallel to one another or in other configurations. 
     The third pre-weakened section  230  extends from a first end  233  that is located at or adjacent to the bottom edge  203  of the sleeve to a second end  234  that is located at or adjacent to the first pre-weakened section  220 . The third pre-weakened section  230  extends along or delineates a third tear line TL 3 . The third tear line TL 3  is a reference line that is coextensive along the third pre-weakened section  230  (and may also be thought of as an axis of the third pre-weakened section  230  extending between the first and second ends  233 ,  234  of the third pre-weakened section  230 ). The third tear line TL 3  is not necessarily a pre-weakened line in the sleeve, but rather is a reference line delineated by the third pre-weakened section  230 . The third tear line TL 3  may extend beyond the third pre-weakened section  230  as a natural extension thereof (like an axis of a body). Thus, even if the third pre-weakened section  230  does not intersect and is spaced from the first pre-weakened section  210 , the third tear line TL 3  will intersect the first pre-weakened section  210  and the first tear line TL 1 . In the exemplified embodiment, the third tear line TL 3  intersects the first tear line TL 1  at a second point P 2 . 
     The second and the third pre-weakened sections  220 ,  230  are circumferentially offset from one another. In the exemplified embodiment, this is achieved due to the second pre-weakened section  220  being positioned along one side surface of the container  100  and the third pre-weakened section  230  being positioned along an opposite side surface of the container  100 . Specifically, the container  100  has a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface. The front and rear surfaces have widths measured transverse to the axis A-A that are greater than widths of the first and second side surfaces. The second and third pre-weakened sections  220 ,  230  are located along the opposing side surfaces in the exemplified embodiment, but may be circumferentially offset and positioned at locations that differ from that which is depicted in the drawings in other embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to the configuration illustrated in the drawings in all embodiments. Thus, other relative positions of the second and third pre-weakened sections  220 ,  230  are possible while still maintaining the second and third pre-weakened sections  220 ,  230  in positions that are circumferentially offset from one another. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the second end  224  of the second pre-weakened section  220  is circumferentially offset from the second end  234  of the third pre-weakened section  230 . Stated another way, in the exemplified embodiment the first point P 1  at which the second tear line TL 2  of the second pre-weakened section  220  intersects the first tear line TL 1  of the first pre-weakened section  210  is circumferentially offset from the second point P 2  at which the third tear line TL 3  of the third pre-weakened section  230  intersects the first tear line TL 1  of the first pre-weakened section  210 . In the exemplified embodiment, the second and third pre-weakened sections  220 ,  230  are entirely circumferentially offset from one another such that no axis parallel to the axis A-A of the container  100  intersects both the second and third pre-weakened sections  220 ,  230 . Of course, alternative arrangements are possible and in some embodiments it is merely desirable that the second ends  224 ,  234 , or stated another way the first and second points P 1 , P 2 , are circumferentially offset as described herein regardless of the positioning of the remainder of the second and third pre-weakened sections  220 ,  230 . 
     By circumferentially offsetting the first and second points P 1 , P 2 , the first and second portions  201 ,  202  of the sleeve  200  may be detached from one another and separately separated from the container  100  without the risk of accidentally detaching the entirety of the sleeve  200  from the container  100 . Specifically, it may first be desirable to remove the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  from the container  100  while leaving the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  intact on the container  100 . This may be desirable because removal of the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  may permit use of the material stored in the container  100  while the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  may include product information. Thus, a user will want to remove the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  to gain access to the material contained in the container  100  while leaving the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  intact on the container  100  so that the product information is visible. Then, after depletion of the material from the container  100 , it may be desirable to remove the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  from the container  200 . This may be desirable in certain instances to ensure that the container  100  is properly recycled. Specifically, the container  100  with the sleeve  200  (or portions thereof) thereon may not be recyclable in certain municipalities. Thus, it may be desirable to provide a user an option to completely remove the sleeve  200  from the container  100  prior to recycling, which is accomplished with the invention disclosed herein. 
     The offset noted above assists in achieving this goal. Specifically, when a user tears along the second pre-weakened section  220  to remove the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  from the container  200 , the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  is not also removed because the offset nature of the third pre-weakened section  230  relative to the second pre-weakened section  220  ensure that the user does not continue to tear along the third pre-weakened section  230  after tearing along the second pre-weakened section  220 . This is described in detail below with reference to  FIGS. 8-13 . 
     Referring briefly to  FIGS. 1B and 7 , in the exemplified embodiment the second removable strip  232  comprises indicia  233  thereon that comprises instructions for tearing away or otherwise removing the first removable strip  232  from the remainder of the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200 . In the exemplified embodiment, the indicia  233  is the word “UN-ZIP.” However, the specific details of the indicia  233  are not to be limited to that which is shown in the exemplified embodiment. In the exemplified embodiment, the container  100  has a height measured between the bottom and top ends  101 ,  102  of the container  100 . Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the indicia is located on the second removable strip  232  along a bottom one-fifth, one-sixth, one-seventh, or one-eighth of the height of the container  100 . This is intended to instruct a user to tear away the second removable strip  232  from the first end  233  of the third pre-weakened section  230  upwards rather than from the second end  234  of the third pre-weakened section  230  downwards. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the indicia  233  comprises words only. In other embodiments, the indicia  233  may comprise both words and an illustration, such as the design of a zipper, arrows, or the like to further indicate or instruct to the user to tear the second removable strip  232 . The purpose here is to urge the consumer to remove the sleeve  200  in its entirety before recycling to ensure that the container  100  will be recycled. Although indicia is only illustrated on the second removable strip  232  in the figures, in some embodiments the first removable strip  222  may also include some type of indicia (such as arrows or the like) indicative of the tearing action required by the user to tear and separate the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  from the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  and from the container  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-13 , the steps involved in removing the sleeve  200  from the container  100  will be described. When a consumer purchases the container apparatus  1000 , it has the appearance as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  with the sleeve  200  circumscribing the container  100  along a portion or the entirety of its height. The sleeve  200  circumscribes the container  100  along its entire height in the exemplified embodiment, but may only circumscribe the container  100  along a portion of its height in other embodiments as described herein. In this manner, the sleeve  200  operates as a tamper-evident feature because while the sleeve  200  is circumscribing the container  100 , it prevents the cap  140  from being opened and prevents the contents of the container  100  from being dispensed. It is only after the sleeve  200 , or a portion thereof, is removed from the container  100  that the material contained in the container  100  may be dispensed. 
     Once it is desired to begin to use the container apparatus  1000  to dispense its contents, a consumer (or any other person) first begins the process of tearing the sleeve  200  along the second pre-weakened section  220 . As collectively illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10A , tearing along the second pre-weakened section  220  and the first pre-weakened section  210  detaches the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  from the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  and separates the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  from the container  100  while the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  remains wrapped around the container  100 . Once the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  is detached from the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  and removed or otherwise separated from the container  100 , the cap  140  is permitted to be altered between the closed and open states ( FIGS. 10A, 10B ). 
     More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment removal of the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  is achieved as follows. First, a user grips the first removable strip  222  at the top edge  204  of the sleeve  200  and pulls the first removable strip  222  away from the container  100 , thereby causing the first pre-weakened section  220  to tear at both of the pair of pre-weakened lines  221   a ,  221   b . Of course, in embodiments that only include a single pre-weakened line rather than the pair of pre-weakened lines  221   a ,  221   b , this same tearing can be achieved by simply tearing along the single pre-weakened line rather than tearing away a removable strip. In the exemplified embodiment, the first removable strip  222  is continued to be torn from the sleeve  200  until the first removable strip  222  is completely torn away from a remaining section  225  of the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  ( FIG. 9 ). At this point, the remaining section  225  of the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  remains circumscribing the container  100  while the first removable strip  222  is completely detached from the sleeve  200  and from the container  100 . The sleeve  200  is then torn along the first pre-weakened section  210 , thereby detaching the remaining section  225  of the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  from the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200 . The sleeve  200  is shrink wrapped onto the container  100  without the use of a fixing mechanism such as adhesive, so once torn along the pre-weakened sections the sleeve  200  or portions thereof are readily separated from the container  100 . This detaching of the remaining section  225  of the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  from the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  also simultaneously separates the remaining section  225  of the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  from the container  100 . The result of these steps is the container apparatus  1000  as it appears in  FIG. 10A  with the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  separated or removed from the container  100  and the first portion  202  of the sleeve  200  remaining wrapped around the container  100 . 
     Importantly, as noted above the second pre-weakened section  220  is not axially aligned with, but rather is circumferentially offset from, the third pre-weakened section  230 . As used herein, the phrase circumferentially offset is not intended to be limiting of the cross-sectional shapes of the container  100  and the sleeve  200 . Specifically, the term circumferentially does not exclude containers  100  and sleeves  200  that have non-circular cross-sectional areas. Rather, in certain embodiments the second pre-weakened section  220  is angularly offset from the third pre-weakened section  230  about a perimeter or periphery of the geometry of the particular container forming a part of the container apparatus  1000 . More specifically, the first point P 1  at which the second pre-weakened section  220  (or the second tear line TL 2 ) intersects the first pre-weakened section  210  (or the first tear line TL 1 ) is circumferentially offset from the second point P 2  at which the third pre-weakened section  230  (or the third tear line TL 3 ) intersects the first pre-weakened section  210  (or the first tear line TL 1 ). Thus, during the tearing away of the first removable strip  222 , at the intersection of the second pre-weakened section  220  with the first pre-weakened section  210 , there is no option for the user to continue tearing axially to tear the sleeve  200  along the second portion  202  thereof. Rather, the user must first tear along the first pre-weakened section  210  and can only access the third pre-weakened section  230  (other than from the bottom edge  203  of the sleeve  200 ) once the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  is removed. Thus, rather than continuing to tear the entire sleeve  200 , which is undesirable because the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  is intended to remain on the container  100  until it is time to recycle the container  100 , the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  remains intact on the container  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 10B  concurrently, once the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  is removed from the container  100 , the cap  140  can be altered between first and second (or closed and open) states.  FIG. 10A  illustrates the container apparatus  1000  with the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  removed from the container  100  and the cap  140  in the closed state.  FIG. 10B  illustrates the container apparatus  1000  with the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  removed from the container  100  and the cap  140  in the open state. In the exemplified embodiment, the cap  140  is coupled to the body  110  of the container  100  via a hinge  106  such that the cap  140  is coupled to the container  100  in both the open and closed states. In the exemplified embodiment, the skirt portion  151  of the lid assembly  150  is coupled to the body  110 , and the cap  140  is coupled to the skirt portion  151  via the hinge  106 . However, in other embodiments the cap  140  may be completely separated or detached from the container  100  in the open state. In such embodiments, the cap  140  may be coupled to the container  100  via a snap-fit arrangement, mating screw threads, or the like. Thus, variations in the overall structure of the container  100  are possible and remain within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein. 
     After the contents or material contained within the container  100  are depleted, the consumer will either throw the container  100  in the trash or recycle the container  100 . The goal is to have the consumer recycle the container  100 . As discussed above, many municipalities require that the sleeve  200  be completely removed from the container  100  in order for the container  100  to be properly recycled. Therefore, with reference to  FIGS. 11-13 , once the container  100  is emptied of its contents, the consumer will begin the process of separating the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  from the container  100 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, this is accomplished as follows. The consumer grips the second removable strip  232  of the third pre-weakened section  230  and pulls it to cause the third pre-weakened section  230  to tear along the second pair of pre-weakened lines  231   a ,  231   b . In the exemplified embodiment, the second removable strip  232  is gripped along a bottom of the container  100  at the bottom edge  203  of the sleeve  200 , but the consumer may also grip the second removable strip  232  from a top edge  239  of the second portion  232  of the sleeve  200 . Furthermore, although the exemplified embodiment uses a pair of pre-weakened lines  231   a ,  231   b  and a removable strip  232 , this may also be achieved with a single pre-weakened line. The second removable strip  232  may include a tab that protrudes from the bottom end  101  of the container  100  to enhance a consumer&#39;s ability to grip the second removable strip  232  to tear it away as described herein. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the second removable strip  232  is torn until it is completely torn away from a remaining section  235  of the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200 . At this point, the remaining section  235  of the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  is no longer actively affixed or secured to the container  100  (due to the lack of adhesive or other fixing mechanism as described above) and the remaining section  235  of the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  can be readily separated from the container  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 13  illustrates the result of this process with the remaining section  235  of the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  completely separated from the container  100 . The container  100  is now ready for recycling. 
     In certain embodiments of the invention described herein, one of the first, second, and third pre-weakened sections  210 ,  220 ,  230  may have different tear strengths than the others of the first, second, and third pre-weakened sections  210 ,  220 ,  230 . As used herein, tear strength is a measure of how well a material can withstand the effects of tearing. Thus, a pre-weakened section with a greater tear strength is able to withstand the effects of tearing more than a pre-weakened section with a lesser tear strength. Stated a different way, a pre-weakened section of a material with a greater tear strength will require a greater tearing force to be applied to it in order to tear the material at that pre-weakened section than a pre-weakened section with a lesser tear strength. As an example, if the third pre-weakened section  230  has a tear strength that is greater than the tear strength of the first pre-weakened section  210 , it is more difficult to tear the sleeve  200  at the third pre-weakened section  230  than at the first pre-weakened section  210  and a greater tearing force would need to be applied to tear the sleeve  200  at the third pre-weakened section  230  than at the first pre-weakened section  210 . This will facilitate maintaining the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  intact on the container  100  even after the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  is removed or separated from the container  100 . 
     The tear strengths of the first, second, and third pre-weakened sections  210 ,  220 ,  230  of the sleeve  200  may be controlled in several manners. Specifically, the tear strength may be controlled by the material used to form the pre-weakened sections  210 ,  220 ,  230  of the sleeve  200  or the thickness of the material used to form the pre-weakened sections  210 ,  220 ,  230  of the sleeve  200 . Alternatively, where the pre-weakened sections  210 ,  220 ,  230  are formed by perforations, the tear strength may be controlled by control ling the size of the perforated regions relative to the size of the non-perforated regions. In still other embodiments, the tear strength may be controlled by adjusting the spacing between the perforated regions. Various combinations of these techniques and others that are known to persons skilled in the art may be used to control the tear strength of the sleeve  200  at the first, second, and third pre-weakened sections  210 ,  220 ,  230  to achieve a desired purpose. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the first pre-weakened section  210  has a first tear strength, the second pre-weakened section  220  has a second tear strength, and the third pre-weakened section  230  has a third tear strength. In certain embodiments, it may be preferable that the third tear strength is greater than the first tear strength. This may be desirable to prevent inadvertent tearing along the third pre-weakened section  230  when the sleeve  200  is being torn at the first pre-weakened section  210 . Specifically, by having the third tear strength be greater than the first tear strength, a lesser force is required to tear along the first pre-weakened section  210  than along the third pre-weakened section  230 . Thus, as a user is tearing along the first pre-weakened section  210  and approaches the third pre-weakened section  230 , an increase in force would be required to tear along the third pre-weakened section  230 , which reduces the likelihood of an accidental tear that would result in a premature removal of the second section  202  of the sleeve  200  from the container  100 . 
     In certain embodiments, the third tear strength may also be greater than the second tear strength, although this is not required in all embodiments. In other embodiments the second tear strength may be greater than the third tear strength. The first and second tear strengths may be equal, or any one of the first and second tear strengths may be greater than the other. In some embodiments, the second tear strength is greater than the first tear strength so that as a user is tearing the sleeve  200  along the second pre-weakened section  220 , the user&#39;s force will also be sufficient to tear the sleeve  200  along the first pre-weakened section  210 , which will assist in easily removing the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  from the container  100 . In certain embodiments, it is merely preferable that one of the first, second, and third tear strengths is different than at least one of the other of the first, second, and third tear strengths. In another embodiment it is merely preferable that the third tear strength is greater than the first tear strength. Furthermore, in some embodiments it may be preferable that the second tear strength is greater than the first tear strength and that the third tear strength is greater than the first tear strength. This will facilitate separating the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  from the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  while leaving the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200  intact on the container  100 . In certain embodiments, it may be preferable that the second tear strength is greater than the third tear strength and the third tear strength is greater than the first tear strength. The disclosure of the various tear strengths that are possible may be utilized in conjunction with any of the embodiments of the container apparatus  1000 ,  2000 ,  3000  described herein. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14-18 , a container apparatus  2000  will be described in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The container apparatus  2000  is identical to the container apparatus  1000  discussed above except with regard to the differences specifically identified herein below. The container apparatus  2000  will be similarly numbered to the container apparatus  1000  except that the 300-series of numbers will be used to denote the container and its features and the 400-series of numbers will be used to denote the sleeve and its features. For features of the container apparatus  2000  that are numbered and not described, the description of the similarly numbered feature of the container apparatus  1000  is applicable. All of the other disclosure above except that which conflicts with the below is applicable to the container apparatus  2000 , including the disclosure with regard to materials, tear strengths, methods of manufacturing, and the like. 
     The container apparatus  2000  generally comprises a container  300  having a body  310  and a cap  340  and a sleeve  400  that is wrapped around the container  300  in the same manner as discussed above with regard to the container apparatus  1000 . The container  300  is identical to the container  100  in all respects and the structural details of the exemplified and alternative embodiments will not be described herein in the interest of brevity, it being understood that the description above is applicable. The difference between the container apparatus  2000  and the container apparatus  1000  lies in the structure of the sleeve  400 . Specifically, the sleeve  400  comprises a first pre-weakened section  410 , a second pre-weakened section  420 , and a third pre-weakened section  430 . The first pre-weakened section  410  divides the sleeve  400  into a first portion (upper portion)  401  and a second portion (lower portion)  402 . The first portion  401  of the sleeve comprises the second pre-weakened section  420  and the second portion  402  of the sleeve  400  comprises the third pre-weakened section  430 . 
     The first and second pre-weakened sections  410 ,  420  of the sleeve  400  are identical to the first and second pre-weakened sections  210 ,  220  of the sleeve  200 . However, the third pre-weakened section  430  of the sleeve  400  is slightly different than the third pre-weakened section  230  of the sleeve  200 . The sleeve  400  extends from a bottom edge  403  to a top edge  404 . In this embodiment, the third pre-weakened section  430  of the sleeve  400  extends the entire length of the sleeve  400  from the bottom edge  403  to the top edge  404 . Thus, in this embodiment the third pre-weakened section  430  is located in both the first and second portions  401 ,  402  of the sleeve  400 . This is different than the third pre-weakened section  230  of the sleeve  200  which extends from the bottom edge  203  of the sleeve  200  to the first pre-weakened section  210  of the sleeve  200  and is located only in the first portion  201  of the sleeve  200  but not also in the second portion  202  of the sleeve  200 . 
     By forming the third pre-weakened section  430  to extend the entire length of the sleeve  400 , the added functionality of being able to remove the entire sleeve  400  from the container  300  by tearing only the third pre-weakened section  430  of the sleeve  400  is available. Thus, with this embodiment the first portion  401  of the sleeve  400  may be detached from the second portion  402  of the sleeve  400  by tearing along the second pre-weakened section  420  and then the first pre-weakened section  410  of the sleeve  400 . This will leave the second portion  402  of the sleeve  400  intact on the container  300 . The second portion  402  of the sleeve  400  can then be removed from the container  300  at a later time by tearing along the third pre-weakened section  430  of the sleeve  400 . This is similar to the functionality described above with regard to the container apparatus  1000 . However, with the embodiment of the container apparatus  2000 , if desired the entire sleeve  400  may be removed from the container  300  at once by tearing along the entirety of the third pre-weakened section  430  of the sleeve  400 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18-19A , a container apparatus  3000  will be described in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The container apparatus  3000  is identical to the container apparatuses  1000 ,  2000  discussed above except with regard to the differences specifically identified herein below. The container apparatus  3000  will be similarly numbered to the container apparatuses  1000 ,  2000  except that the 500-series of numbers will be used to denote the container and its features and the 600-series of numbers will be used to denote the sleeve and its features. For features of the container apparatus  3000  that are numbered and not described, the description of the similarly numbered feature of the container apparatuses  1000 ,  2000  is applicable. All of the other disclosure above except that which conflicts with the below is applicable to the container apparatus  3000 , including the disclosure with regard to materials, tear strengths, methods of manufacturing, and the like. 
     The container apparatus  3000  generally comprises a container  500  having a body  510  and a cap  540  and a sleeve  600  that is wrapped around the container  500  in the same manner as discussed above with regard to the container apparatus  2000 . The container  500  is identical to the containers  100 ,  300  in all respects and thus it will not be described herein in the interest of brevity, it being understood that the description above is applicable. The difference between the container apparatus  3000  and the container apparatus  1000  lies in the structure of the sleeve  600 . Specifically, the sleeve  600  comprises a first pre-weakened section  610 , a second pre-weakened section  620 , and a third pre-weakened section  630 . The first pre-weakened section  610  divides the sleeve  600  into a first portion (upper portion)  601  and a second portion (lower portion)  602 . The first portion  601  of the sleeve  600  comprises the second pre-weakened section  620  and the second portion  602  of the sleeve  600  comprises the third pre-weakened section  630 . 
     The first and second pre-weakened sections  610 ,  620  of the sleeve  600  are identical to the first and second pre-weakened sections  210 ,  220  of the sleeve  200 . However, the third pre-weakened section  630  of the sleeve  400  is slightly different than the third pre-weakened section  230  of the sleeve  200 . First, in the exemplified embodiment the third pre-weakened section  630  is in circumferential alignment with the second pre-weakened section  620  rather than the second and third pre-weakened sections  620 ,  630  being circumferentially offset as with the previous embodiments. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the second tear line TL 2  delineated by the second pre-weakened section  620  is coextensive with the third tear line TL 3  delineated by the third pre-weakened section  630  and the points of intersection between the second and third tear lines TL 2 , TL 3  and the first tear line TL 1  of the first pre-weakened section  610  are the same. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited and in other embodiments the second and third pre-weakened sections  620 ,  630  may be circumferentially offset as with the container apparatuses  1000 ,  2000 . 
     Despite the circumferential alignment between the second and third pre-weakened sections  620 ,  630 , tearing the second pre-weakened section  620  does not readily result in tearing of the third pre-weakened section  630 . In the exemplified embodiment, this is because the third pre-weakened section  630  is axially spaced apart from the second pre-weakened section  620  and from the first pre-weakened section  610  by a region  670  of the sleeve  600  (although in other embodiments this can be achieved due to variations in the tear strengths of the pre-weakened sections as discussed above). Thus, the second difference in the third pre-weakened section  630  of this embodiment is that the third pre-weakened section  630  extends from a first end  633  at or adjacent to the bottom end  603  of the sleeve  600  to a second end  634  that is at a location that is beneath and spaced apart from the first pre-weakened section  610  of the sleeve  600 . In this usage, the term beneath is intended to mean that the second end  634  of the third pre-weakened section  630  is between the first pre-weakened section  610  and the bottom end  603  of the sleeve  600 . 
     Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the second end  634  of the third pre-weakened section  630  is spaced apart from the first pre-weakened section  610  by an axial distance D 1  measured along the second tear line TL 2 . Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the third pre-weakened section  630  comprises perforations, and specifically an alternating arrangement of perforated segments  635  and non-perforated segments  636 . The perforated segments  635  are segments of the third pre-weakened section  630  that are devoid of material or at which the material of the sleeve  600  has been punctured or otherwise removed to form an aperture or hole through the sleeve  600 . The non-perforated segments  636  are regions of the third pre-weakened section  630  that include the material of the sleeve  600  and that are located between adjacent ones of the perforated segments  635 . This is a standard technique for creating pre-weakened regions or perforated regions of a material to render the material more susceptible to tearing at that region. 
     It should be noted that the axial distance D 1  between the second end  634  of the third pre-weakened section  630  is not simply the space formed by the perforated segments  635  of the third pre-weakened section  630 . In that regard, in the exemplified embodiment a maximum length L 1  between adjacent ones of the perforated segments  635  (which is equal to a maximum length of the non-perforated segments  636 ) is less than the axial distance D 1 . Thus, the distance D 1  between the second end  634  of the third pre-weakened section  630  is a greater spacing than the spacing between adjacent ones of the perforated segments  635 . As a result, the region  670  of the sleeve  600  between the second end  634  of the third pre-weakened section  630  of the sleeve  600  and the first pre-weakened section  610  of the sleeve  600  is readily discernable. 
     Axially spacing the third pre-weakened section  630  from the first pre-weakened section  610  achieves the same effect of preventing premature removal of the second portion  602  of the sleeve  600  described above with regard to the other embodiments without requiring the circumferential offset in those embodiments. Specifically, as a user tears the sleeve  620  along the second pre-weakened section  620 , upon reaching the first pre-weakened section  610  the sleeve  620  will stop tearing in an axial direction and will instead begin tearing in a circumferential direction along the first pre-weakened section  620 . Due to the space in the region  670 , continued axial tearing along the third pre-weakened section  630  is substantially prevented until a later time when it is desired to remove the entirety of the sleeve  600  from the container  500 . When it is desired to remove the second portion  602  of the sleeve  600  from the container  100 , the user can tear the third pre-weakened section  630  from the bottom end  633  upwards as described above. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 20-22 , blanks  700 ,  800 ,  900  that are used to form the sleeves  200 ,  400 ,  600 , respectively will be described. The blank  700  is used to form the sleeve  200 , the blank  800  is used to form the sleeve  400 , and the blank  900  is used to form the sleeve  600 . Similar numbering will be used to describe similar features in the blanks  700 ,  800 ,  900  and the sleeves  200 ,  400 ,  600  except that the 700-, 800-, and 900-series of numbers will be used. Thus, for features that are denoted in the drawings but not described, the description of that similar feature with reference to the sleeve  200 ,  400 ,  600  is applicable. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 20 , the blank  700  that is used to form the sleeve  200  will be described. The blank  700  comprises a sheet of material  705  formed of a polymer plastic film such as those described above. The sheet of material extends from a bottom edge  701  to a top edge  702  along an axis B-B. The sheet of material also has a first side edge  703  and a second side edge  704  that oppose one another and extend between the top and bottom edges  701 ,  702 . The blank  700  has a first pre-weakened section  710 , a second pre-weakened section  720 , and a third pre-weakened section  730  that are similar to the similarly named features on the sleeve  200 . The details of the structure of each of the first, second, and third pre-weakened sections  710 ,  720 ,  730  has previously been described with regard to the sleeve  200  and that description is applicable. 
     The first pre-weakened section  710  extends between the first and second side edges  703 ,  704  of the sheet of material  705  and divides the sheet of material  705  into a first or upper portion  707  and a second or lower portion  708 . The second pre-weakened section  720  extends between the top edge  702  of the sheet of material  705  and the first pre-weakened section  710 . In the exemplified embodiment, the second pre-weakened section  720  extends from the top edge  702  to the first pre-weakened section  710 , although in other embodiments it may be spaced from one or both of the top edge  702  and the first pre-weakened section  710 . Regardless, in the exemplified embodiment the second pre-weakened section  720  is located entirely within the first portion  707  of the sheet of material  705 . The third pre-weakened section  730  extends between the bottom edge  701  of the sheet of material  705  and the first pre-weakened section  710 . In the exemplified embodiment, the third pre-weakened section  730  extends from the bottom edge  701  to the first pre-weakened section  710 , although in other embodiments it may be spaced from one or both of the bottom edge  701  and the first pre-weakened section  710 . Regardless, in the exemplified embodiment the third pre-weakened section  730  is located entirely within the second portion  708  of the sheet of material  705 . 
     In this embodiment, the second pre-weakened section  720  is transversely spaced apart from the third pre-weakened section  730 . Stated another way, the second and third pre-weakened sections  720 ,  730  are not axially aligned with one another. Rather, the second pre-weakened section  720  is spaced apart from the first side edge  703  of the sheet of material  705  by a distance D 2  and the third pre-weakened section  730  is spaced apart from the first side edge  703  of the sheet of material  705  by a distance D 3 , the distance D 3  being greater than the distance D 2 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, there is no axis parallel to the axis B-B of the sheet of material  705  that intersects a portion of the second pre-weakened section  720  and a portion of the third pre-weakened section  730 . However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. In some embodiments, one or both of the second and third pre-weakened sections  720 ,  730  may extend diagonally along the sheet of material  705  rather than being vertical and parallel to the axis B-B as with the exemplified embodiment. In such an embodiment, it is possible that an axis parallel to the axis B-B may intersect both the second and third pre-weakened sections  720 ,  730 . However, in such an embodiment the second pre-weakened section  720  delineates a reference tear line T 1  that intersects the first pre-weakened line  710  at a point P 3  and the third pre-weakened line  730  delineates a reference tear line T 2  that intersects the first pre-weakened line  710  at a point P 4 , the points P 3  and P 4  being transversely spaced apart from one another. Stated another way, the second ends  724 ,  734  of the second and third pre-weakened lines  720 ,  730  may be spaced apart in a direction transverse to the axis B-B of the sheet of material  705 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 21 , the blank  800  will be described, which is the blank used to form the sleeve  400  of  FIGS. 14-17 . The blank  800  comprises a sheet of material  805  that comprises a bottom edge  801 , a top edge  802 , a first side edge  803 , and a second side edge  804 . The sheet of material  805  comprises a first pre-weakened section  810 , a second pre-weakened section  820 , and a third pre-weakened section  830 . The blank  800  is identical to the blank  700  except that the third pre-weakened section  830  extends the entire height of the sheet of material  805  from the bottom end  801  to the top end  802 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 22 , the blank  900  will be described, which is the blank used to form the sleeve  600  of  FIGS. 18-19A . The blank  900  comprises a sheet of material  905  that comprises a bottom edge  901 , a top edge  902 , a first side edge  903 , and a second side edge  904 . The sheet of material  905  comprises a first pre-weakened section  910 , a second pre-weakened section  920 , and a third pre-weakened section  930 . The blank  900  is identical to the blank  700  except that: (1) the second and third pre-weakened sections  920 ,  930  are axially aligned along an axis that is parallel to the axis of the sheet of material  905  extending between the bottom end top edges  901 ,  902  thereof; and (2) the third pre-weakened section  930  is spaced from rather than extending all the way to the first pre-weakened section  910 . The description of these concepts with regard to the sleeve  600  is applicable and will not be repeated here in the interest of brevity. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.