Patent Publication Number: US-2003234284-A1

Title: Carton with reducibility feature

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention is directed to containers for the shipment of materials, which containers are intended for a single use, to be discarded, and preferably recycled, after the single use. The present invention is, in particular, directed to such containers, being fabricated from primarily paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard.  
       [0003] 2. Prior Art  
       [0004] A common container style that is used for the packaging and shipment of materials, in which the container is intended to be destroyed in the process of accessing the shipped materials, is a “Bliss” type box structure, formed from two end pieces and a body wrapper, all typically fabricated from corrugated paperboard material.  
       [0005] Such a “Bliss” type box is typically machine set up in which all three parts are glued together, forming five sides of the box fully enclosed and rigid. Excess material may be on the sixth side, which is folded and sealed to create a fully or partially enclosed panel resulting in a fully or partially enclosed box that is often difficult for the end user to open. In addition, the fully rigid “Bliss” type box is laborious to collapse. This is a potential drawback, in that when it is desired to recycle such boxes after use, many regions of the country have regulations that dictate that the collapsed boxes have a particular footprint or other specified configuration, in order to be accepted for recycling. Often, the process of reducing a prior art Bliss box to the required size or format requires more time and/or effort than can be afforded in a particular workplace environment, thus leading to unintended excess costs to the business, or the failure of the used boxes to be recycled.  
       [0006] A conventional Bliss box can be difficult to open by the end user because the sixth panel is sealed. If sealed with tape, the end user either is forced to pick at the tape with fingernails and peel the tape back to expose the contents, or is forced to use a razor knife to slice the tape, possibly slicing the contents in the process.  
       [0007] This opening process can become even more difficult if the sixth panel is sealed with adhesive (e.g., glue).  
       [0008] It would be desirable to provide a Bliss type container, preferably fabricated from primarily from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard, that is provided with enhanced reducibility, in order to facilitate reduction of the container into a specified minimum footprint, size or other format.  
       [0009] It would further be desirable to provide a Bliss type container that is also provided with enhanced openability by the end user.  
       [0010] These and other desirable characteristics of the invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, including claims, and drawings.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011] The present invention is directed, in part, to a container for packaging and shipping articles, fabricated at least in part from at least one of paper, paperboard and corrugated paperboard material, the container being reducible from a packaging and shipping configuration, to a configuration that facilitates the flattening and bundling of pluralities of the container for subsequent recycling.  
       [0012] The container comprises a body wrap portion including at least a substantially rectangular center panel and two substantially rectangular side panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and disposed substantially perpendicular thereto, the two substantially rectangular side panels being disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other. Two first attachment flaps emanate along first lines of weakness from opposing end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, the two first attachment flaps being disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially rectangular center panel, the two first attachment flaps further being disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other. Two second attachment flaps emanate along second lines of weakness from opposing end edges of each of the substantially rectangular side panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, the two second attachment flaps being disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially rectangular center panel, the two second attachment flaps further being disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other, the second lines of weakness being disposed substantially perpendicular to the first lines of weakness. Two end panel portions are provided, each including at least a central panel, each of the two end panel portions being disposed adjacent one of the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, each end panel portion having one of the first attachment flaps and one second attachment flap from each of the substantially rectangular side panels disposed in substantially parallel overlying affixed relation thereto, to define a container having five panel faces arranged in substantially rigid orientation thereto and an article containing region formed therewithin.  
       [0013] The container further includes at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container.  
       [0014] The body wrap portion further comprises, in one embodiment, two substantially rectangular closure panels, emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, and disposed in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, the two substantially rectangular closure panels being further disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation to the substantially rectangular center panel, free edges of the two substantially rectangular closure panels being disposed in substantially parallel, adjacent relation to one another. The two substantially rectangular closure panels may be maintained in their substantially parallel spaced relation to the substantially rectangular center panel, by a tape closure member affixedly connecting at least the two substantially rectangular closure panels.  
       [0015] The at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may comprise a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof.  
       [0016] Alternatively, the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may comprise a pair of parallel perforations disposed in each central panel of each of the two end panel portions, extending from a top edge region thereof to a bottom edge region thereof, to facilitate separation of a free portion of each central panel from portions of each central panel to which the second attachment flaps are affixed.  
       [0017] Still further alternatively, the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may comprise a line of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and each of the first attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each central panel from the substantially rectangular center panel.  
       [0018] Two third attachment flaps may be provided, emanating along third lines of weakness from opposing end edges of each of the two substantially rectangular closure panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, the two third attachment flaps being disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially rectangular closure panels, the two third attachment flaps being further disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other, the third lines of weakness being disposed substantially parallel to the first lines of weakness.  
       [0019] The two substantially rectangular closure panels may be maintained in their substantially parallel spaced relation to the substantially rectangular center panel, by affixation of the two third attachment flaps to the central panels of the two end panel portions. The at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may comprise a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof. Alternatively, the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may comprise a pair of parallel perforations disposed in each central panel of each of the two end panel portions, extending from a top edge region thereof to a bottom edge region thereof, to facilitate separation of a free portion of each central panel from portions of each central panel to which the second attachment flaps are affixed. Still further alternatively, the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may comprise a line of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and each of the first attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each end panel portion from the substantially rectangular center panel. The at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may comprise lines of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, and each of the second attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each end panel portion from the substantially rectangular side panels.  
       [0020] In another embodiment of the invention, the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container comprises a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof, to facilitate separation of the substantially rectangular center panel into two remaining disconnection portions thereof, the two remaining disconnected portions of the substantially rectangular center panel being thereafter repositionable to orientations substantially parallel to the substantially rectangular side panels, to further permit the substantially rectangular side panels to be collapsed inwardly toward one another into substantially juxtaposed partially overlying relation to one another.  
       [0021] The invention is also directed, in part, to blanks for a container for packaging and shipping articles, fabricated at least in part from at least one of paper, paperboard and corrugated paperboard material, the container being reducible from a packaging and shipping configuration, to a configuration that facilitates bundling of pluralities of the container for subsequent recycling.  
       [0022] The blanks comprise a body wrap blank including at least a substantially rectangular center panel and two substantially rectangular side panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, two first attachment flaps emanating along first lines of weakness from opposing end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, two second attachment flaps emanating along second lines of weakness from opposing end edges of each of the substantially rectangular side panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, the second lines of weakness being disposed substantially perpendicular to the first lines of weakness; and two end panel blanks, each including at least a central panel. The blanks further include at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container.  
       [0023] The body wrap blank may further comprise two substantially rectangular closure panels, emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular side panels. The at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may comprise a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof. Alternatively, the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may comprise a pair of parallel perforations disposed in each central panel of each of the two end panel blanks, extending from a top edge region thereof to a bottom edge region thereof, to facilitate separation of a free portion of each central panel from portions of each central panel to which the second attachment flaps are affixed. The at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may alternatively comprise a line of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and each of the first attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each central panel from the substantially rectangular center panel. The blanks may further comprise two third attachment flaps emanating along third lines of weakness from opposing end edges of each of the two substantially rectangular closure panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, the third lines of weakness being disposed substantially parallel to the first lines of weakness. The at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may comprise a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof. Alternatively, the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may comprise a pair of parallel perforations disposed in each central panel of each of the two end panel portions, extending from a top edge region thereof to a bottom edge region thereof, to facilitate separation of a free portion of each central panel from portions of each central panel to which the second attachment flaps are affixed. Alternatively, the at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may comprise a line of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and each of the first attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each end panel portion from the substantially rectangular center panel. The at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may comprise lines of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, and each of the second attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each end panel portion from the substantially rectangular side panels. The at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap blank and the two end panel blanks, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may comprise a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof, to facilitate separation of the substantially rectangular center panel into two remaining disconnection portions thereof, the two remaining disconnected portions of the substantially rectangular center panel being thereafter repositionable to orientations substantially parallel to the substantially rectangular side panels, to further permit the substantially rectangular side panels to be collapsed inwardly toward one another into substantially juxtaposed partially overlying relation to one another.  
       [0024] The invention also comprises, in part, a method for reducing a container for packaging and shipping articles, fabricated at least in part from at least one of paper, paperboard and corrugated paperboard material, from a packaging and shipping configuration, to a configuration that facilitates the flattening and bundling of pluralities of the container for subsequent recycling, the method comprising the steps of:  
       [0025] providing a body wrap portion including at least a substantially rectangular center panel and two substantially rectangular side panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and disposed substantially perpendicular thereto, the two substantially rectangular side panels being disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other,  
       [0026] providing two first attachment flaps emanating along first lines of weakness from opposing end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, the two first attachment flaps being disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially rectangular center panel, the two first attachment flaps further being disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other,  
       [0027] providing two second attachment flaps emanating along second lines of weakness from opposing end edges of each of the substantially rectangular side panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, the two second attachment flaps being disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially rectangular center panel, the two second attachment flaps further being disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other, the second lines of weakness being disposed substantially perpendicular to the first lines of weakness;  
       [0028] providing two end panel portions, each including at least a central panel, each of the two end panel portions being disposed adjacent one of the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, each end panel portion having one of the first attachment flaps and one second attachment flap from each of the substantially rectangular side panels disposed in substantially parallel overlying affixed relation thereto, to define a container having five panel faces arranged in substantially rigid orientation thereto and an article containing region formed therewithin;  
       [0029] further providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container; and  
       [0030] tearing the container along the at least one region of frangibility to reduce the container to a substantially flattened configuration.  
       [0031] The step of providing the body wrap portion may further comprise the step of:  
       [0032] providing two substantially rectangular closure panels, emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, and disposed in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, the two substantially rectangular closure panels being further disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation to the substantially rectangular center panel, free edges of the two substantially rectangular closure panels being disposed in substantially parallel, adjacent relation to one another.  
       [0033] The method may further comprise the step of maintaining the two substantially rectangular closure panels in their substantially parallel spaced relation to the substantially rectangular center panel, by a tape closure member affixedly connecting at least the two substantially rectangular closure panels.  
       [0034] The step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may further comprise the step of:  
       [0035] providing a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof.  
       [0036] Alternatively, the step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may further comprise the step of:  
       [0037] providing a pair of parallel perforations disposed in each central panel of each of the two end panel portions, extending from a top edge region thereof to a bottom edge region thereof, to facilitate separation of a free portion of each central panel from portions of each central panel to which the second attachment flaps are affixed.  
       [0038] The step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container further may further comprise the step of:  
       [0039] providing a line of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and each of the first attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each central panel from the substantially rectangular center panel.  
       [0040] The method may further comprise the step of:  
       [0041] providing two third attachment flaps emanating along third lines of weakness from opposing end edges of each of the two substantially rectangular closure panels emanating from side edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, the two third attachment flaps being disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially rectangular closure panels, the two third attachment flaps being further disposed in substantially parallel, laterally spaced relation to each other, the third lines of weakness being disposed substantially parallel to the first lines of weakness.  
       [0042] The method may further comprise the step of maintaining the two substantially rectangular closure panels in their substantially parallel spaced relation to the substantially rectangular center panel, by affixation of the two third attachment flaps to the central panels of the two end panel portions.  
       [0043] The step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container further may further comprise the step of:  
       [0044] providing a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof.  
       [0045] The step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may further comprise the step of:  
       [0046] providing a pair of parallel perforations disposed in each central panel of each of the two end panel portions, extending from a top edge region thereof to a bottom edge region thereof, to facilitate separation of a free portion of each central panel from portions of each central panel to which the second attachment flaps are affixed.  
       [0047] The step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may further comprise the step of:  
       [0048] providing a line of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular center panel, and each of the first attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each end panel portion from the substantially rectangular center panel.  
       [0049] The step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container further may further comprise the step of:  
       [0050] providing lines of perforations disposed along the end edges of the substantially rectangular side panels, and each of the second attachment flaps, to facilitate separation of each end panel portion from the substantially rectangular side panels.  
       [0051] The step of providing at least one region of frangibility disposed in at least one of the body wrap portion and the two end panel portions, to facilitate the manual reduction of the container, after use, into a substantially flattened configuration toward facilitating recycling of the container may further comprise the step of:  
       [0052] providing a tear strip member embedded in the substantially rectangular center panel, and extending from one end edge to the other end edge thereof, to facilitate separation of the substantially rectangular center panel into two remaining disconnection portions thereof, the two remaining disconnected portions of the substantially rectangular center panel being thereafter repositionable to orientations substantially parallel to the substantially rectangular side panels, to further permit the substantially rectangular side panels to be collapsed inwardly toward one another into substantially juxtaposed partially overlying relation to one another.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0053]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the blank for an outer body wrapper for a container, according to a first embodiment of the invention.  
     [0054]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank for an end panel for a container according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.  
     [0055]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fully erected container according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.  
     [0056]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the blank for an outer body wrapper for a container, according to a first embodiment of the invention.  
     [0057]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a blank for an end panel for a container according to the embodiment of FIG. 4.  
     [0058]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fully erected container according to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5.  
     [0059]FIG. 7 is a plan view of the blank for an outer body wrapper for a container, according to a first embodiment of the invention.  
     [0060]FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank for an end panel for a container according to the embodiment of FIG. 7.  
     [0061]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fully erected container according to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8.  
     [0062]FIG. 10 is a plan view of the blank for an outer body wrapper for a container, according to another embodiment of the invention.  
     [0063]FIG. 11 is a plan view of a blank for an end panel for a container according to the embodiment of FIG. 10.  
     [0064]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fully erected container according to the embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 11.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0065] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail, a specific embodiment, with the understanding that the present invention is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.  
     [0066] In the figures, unless otherwise noted, the usual convention is observed that solid lines on the interior of a figure represents cuts, edges or points of inflection (like a ridge, crease or inwardly or outwardly projecting gusset), and broken or dashed lines indicate folds, score lines or other lines of weakness.  
     [0067] In one embodiment, shown in FIGS.  1 - 3 , the container is formed from outer body wrapper blank  10  and two end piece blanks  12 . Outer body wrapper blank  10  includes panel  14 , two side panels  16  and  18  and two panels  20 ,  22 . Wrapper blank  10  is preferably fabricated from corrugated paperboard, and a preferred direction for the flutes of the corrugation is from side to side, as blank  10  is viewed in FIG. 1. Panel  14  includes two flaps  24 ,  26  extending from end edges  28 , and  30  of panel  14 , respectively. Tear strip  32  extends from the edge  34  of the panel  24  to edge  36  of panel  26 . Flaps  24 ,  26  include tabs  40 ,  42 , formed by diverging pairs  44 ,  46  of perforations or through-cuts. Side panels  16 ,  18 , likewise include end flaps  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54 , extending from their respective end edges, to improve the structural integrity of the articulated container. The two panel pieces  20 ,  22  are joined in abutment and taped together during articulation of the container—to complete formation of the four-sided body wrapper.  
     [0068] Each end piece blank  12  (FIG. 2) includes end panel  56 , two wing panels  58 ,  60 , and bottom-reinforcing panel  62 . Blank  12  is preferably fabricated from corrugated paperboard, and a preferred direction for the flutes of the corrugation is from top to bottom, as blank  12  is viewed in FIG. 2. End panel  56  of each end piece blank  12  includes two perforation lines  64 ,  66 , that may be broken with an applied tearing force.  
     [0069] To assemble the Bliss-style container  70  of FIG. 3, the two end piece blanks  12  are glued to the outer body wrapper blank  10 , and folded up to render five sides of the container enclosed and rigid. Blanks  12  are laid on the ends of blank  10  such that panels  56  are positioned in overlying relation and affixed (e.g., by glue) to flaps  24 ,  26 , with edges  57  of panels  56  being substantially aligned with fold lines  25 ,  27 , respectively. At this stage of the formation process, the goods to be packaged may be placed on blank  10 , positioned over panel  14 . Alternatively, the formation of container  70  may continue with flaps  24 ,  26  being folded up perpendicular with panel  14 , while panels  58 ,  60  being simultaneously or shortly thereafter being folded perpendicular to panels  56 , for each of blanks  12 . Panels  16  and  18  are folded up perpendicular to panel  14 , and panels  58 ,  60  of each of blanks  12  being adhered (again, e.g., by glue) to the inside surfaces of panels  16  and  18 , to create a container  70  with five closed or substantially closed sides, and an open top area, into which the product to be packaged can then be lowered. The sixth side of container  70  remains open and facing upward, until after placement of the product. To close the package, panels  62  of each of blanks  12  are folded over to be parallel to their respective panels  56 , and parallel to panel  14 . Flaps  20 ,  22  are also folded over to positions to the outside of panels  62 , and perpendicular to panels  16 ,  18  respectively (and parallel to panel  14 ). Flaps  20 ,  22  are held in position, for example, by tape  72 , extending from one panel  56  to the opposite panel  56 . The formation of container  70  may be accomplished by one of ordinary skill in the art of corrugated container formation, having the present disclosure before them, using generally known container formation techniques.  
     [0070] Typically, container  70  will be inverted 180° so that the sealed sixth side is in the bottom position, and the panel with the tear strip faces up. This is typically the preferred shipping orientation, and any indicia may be printed or otherwise placed on the outside surfaces of blank  10 , so that the indicia will be “right side up”, once container  70  has been inverted as described.  
     [0071] Once the container  70  has arrived at the ultimate end user, it may be opened when either or both of the pull tabs  40 ,  42 , created by lines of weakness  44 ,  46  in the panel flaps  24 ,  26  are pulled to remove the tear strip  32  from the panel  14 . Upon pulling of tear strip  32 , panel  14  is divided into two resultant panels, permitting access to the interior of container  70 . Reduction of container  70  is continued separating flaps  24 ,  26  from panel  14 , and thereafter by pulling down panels  56 , tearing them along lines of weakness  64 ,  66 . Flaps  58 ,  60 , and their adjoining remnants  59 ,  61  from panels  56 , remaining connected to panels  16  and  18 .  
     [0072] At this point, the container may be collapsed to a substantially flat orientation for recycling and/or disposal, without requiring any further tearing of the remaining blank material and particularly without the use of any cutting implements.  
     [0073] In another alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS.  4 - 6 , the container  170  formed from outer body wrapper blank  110  and two end piece blanks  112 . Outer body wrapper blank  110  includes panel  114 , two side panels  116  and  118  and two panels  120 ,  122 . Wrapper blank  110  is preferably fabricated from corrugated paperboard, and a preferred direction for the flutes of the corrugation is from side to side, as blank  110  is viewed in FIG. 4. Panel  114  includes two flaps  124 ,  126  extending from end edges  128  and  130  of panel  114 , respectively. Tear strip  132  extends from the edge  134  of the panel  124  to edge  136  of panel  126 . Flap  124  includes tab  140  formed by diverging pairs  144  of perforations or through-cuts. Side panels  116 ,  118 , likewise include end flaps  148 ,  150 ,  152  and  154 , extending from their respective end edges, to improve the structural integrity of the articulated container. Panels  120 ,  122  include end flaps  180 ,  182 ,  184  and  186 .  
     [0074] Each end piece blank  112  (FIG. 5) includes center panel  156  and two wing panels  158 ,  160 . Two perforation lines  164 ,  166 , that may be broken with an applied tearing force, separating center panel  156  from wing panels  158 ,  160 . Blank  112  is preferably fabricated from corrugated paperboard, and a preferred direction for the flutes of the corrugation is from top to bottom, as blank  112  is viewed in FIG. 5.  
     [0075] To assemble the Bliss-style container  170  of FIG. 6, the two end piece blanks  112  are glued to the outer body wrapper blank  110 , and folded up to render five sides of the container enclosed and rigid. Blanks  112  are laid on the ends of blank  110  such that panels  156  are positioned in overlying relation and affixed (e.g., by glue) to flaps  124 ,  126 , with edges  157  of panels  156  being substantially aligned with fold lines  125 ,  127 , respectively. At this stage of the formation process, the goods to be packaged may be placed on blank  110 , positioned over panel  114 . Alternatively, the formation of container  170  may continue with flaps  124 ,  126  being folded up perpendicular with panel  114 . Panels  116  and  118  are folded up perpendicular to panel  114 . Panels  148 ,  150 ,  152 ,  154  are folded perpendicular to panels  116 ,  118 , into outside overlying relationship to corresponding ones of panels  158  and  160  of blanks  112 , and adhered to, e.g., by glue, to create a container  170  with five closed or substantially closed sides, and an open top area, into which the product to be packaged can then be lowered.  
     [0076] The sixth side of container  170  remains open and facing upward, until after placement of the product. To close the package, flaps  120 ,  122  are folded over to positions perpendicular to panels  116 ,  118  respectively (and parallel to panel  114 ). Flaps  180 ,  182 ,  184  and  186  are folded perpendicular to panels  120 ,  122 , into outside overlying relationship to center panels  156 , and adhered thereto, e.g., by glue. The formation of container  170  may be accomplished by one of ordinary skill in the art of corrugated container formation, having the present disclosure before them, using generally known container formation techniques.  
     [0077] Typically, container  170  will be inverted 180° so that the sealed sixth side is in the bottom position, and the panel with the tear strip faces up. This is typically the preferred shipping orientation, and any indicia may be printed or otherwise placed on the outside surfaces of blank  110 , so that the indicia will be “right side up”, once container  170  has been inverted as described.  
     [0078] Once the container  170  has arrived at the ultimate end user, it may be opened when pull tab  140  created by lines of weakness  144  in the panel flap  124  are pulled to remove the tear strip  132  from the panel  114 . Upon pulling of tear strip  132 , panel  114  is divided into two resultant panels, permitting access to the interior of container  170 . Reduction of container  170  is continued by separating flaps  124 ,  126  from panel  114 , and thereafter by pulling down panels  156 , tearing them along lines of weakness  164 ,  166 . Flaps  158 ,  160  remain connected to panels  116  and  118 .  
     [0079] At this point, the container may be collapsed to a substantially flat orientation for recycling and/or disposal, without requiring any further tearing of the remaining blank material and particularly without the use of any cutting implements.  
     [0080] In another alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS.  7 - 9 , the container  270  formed from outer body wrapper blank  210  and two end piece blanks  212 . Outer body wrapper blank  210  includes panel  214 , two side panels  216  and  218  and two panels  220 ,  222 . Wrapper blank  210  is preferably fabricated from corrugated paperboard, and a preferred direction for the flutes of the corrugation is from side to side, as blank  210  is viewed in FIG. 7. Panel  214  includes two flaps  224 ,  226  extending from end edges  228  and  230  of panel  214 , respectively. Tear strip  232  extends from the edge  234  of the panel  224  to edge  236  of panel  226 . Flaps  224  and  226  include tabs  240 ,  242  formed by diverging pairs  244 ,  246  of perforations or through-cuts. Side panels  216 ,  218 , likewise include end flaps  248 ,  250 ,  252  and  254 , extending from their respective end edges, to improve the structural integrity of the articulated container. Panels  220 ,  222  include end flaps  280 ,  282 ,  284  and  286 .  
     [0081] Each end piece blank  212  (FIG. 8) includes a single panel  256 . Blank  212  is preferably fabricated from corrugated paperboard, and a preferred direction for the flutes of the corrugation is from top to bottom, as blank  212  is viewed in FIG. 8.  
     [0082] To assemble the Bliss-style container  270  of FIG. 9, the two end piece blanks  212  are glued to the outer body wrapper blank  210 , and folded up to render five sides of the container enclosed and rigid. Blanks  212  are laid on the ends of blank  210  such that panels  256  are positioned in overlying relation and affixed (e.g., by glue) to flaps  224 ,  226 , with edges  257  of panels  256  being substantially aligned with fold lines  225 ,  227 , respectively. At this stage of the formation process, the goods to be packaged may be placed on blank  210 , positioned over panel  214 . Alternatively, the formation of container  270  may continue with flaps  224 ,  226  being folded up perpendicular with panel  214 . Panels  216  and  218  are folded up perpendicular to panel  214 . Panels  248 ,  250 ,  252 ,  254  are folded perpendicular to panels  216 ,  218 , into outside overlying relationship to corresponding portions of panels  256 , and adhered to, e.g., by glue, to create a container  270  with five closed or substantially closed sides, and an open top area, into which the product to be packaged can then be lowered.  
     [0083] The sixth side of container  270  remains open and facing upward, until after placement of the product. To close the package, flaps  220 ,  222  are folded over to positions perpendicular to panels  216 ,  218  respectively (and parallel to panel  214 ). Flaps  280 ,  282 ,  284  and  286  are folded perpendicular to panels  220 ,  222 , into outside overlying relationship to center panels  256  and adhered thereto, e.g., by glue. The formation of container  270  may be accomplished by one of ordinary skill in the art of corrugated container formation, having the present disclosure before them, using generally known container formation techniques.  
     [0084] Typically, container  270  will be inverted 180° so that the sealed sixth side is in the bottom position, and the panel with the tear strip faces up. This is typically the preferred shipping orientation, and any indicia may be printed or otherwise placed on the outside surfaces of blank  210 , so that the indicia will be “right side up”, once container  270  has been inverted as described.  
     [0085] Once the container  270  has arrived at the ultimate end user, it may be opened when one or both of pull tabs  240 ,  242  created by lines of weakness  244 ,  246  in the panel flaps  224 ,  226  are pulled to remove the tear strip  232  from the panel  214 . Upon pulling of tear strip  232 , panel  214  is divided into two resultant panels, permitting access to the interior of container  270 . Reduction of container  270  is continued by separating flaps  224 ,  226  from panel  214 , and thereafter by pulling down panels  256 , tearing them along lines of weakness  260 ,  262 ,  264 ,  266 . Flaps  248 ,  250 ,  252 ,  254  remain connected to panels  256 .  
     [0086] At this point, the container may be collapsed to a substantially flat orientation for recycling and/or disposal, without requiring any further tearing of the remaining blank material and particularly without the use of any cutting implements.  
     [0087] In still another alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS.  10 - 12 , the tray  370  formed from outer body wrapper blank  310  and two end piece blanks  312 . Outer body wrapper blank  310  includes panel  314 , and two side panels  316  and  318 . Wrapper blank  310  is preferably fabricated from corrugated paperboard, and a preferred direction for the flutes of the corrugation is from side to side, as blank  310  is viewed in FIG. 10. Panel  314  includes two flaps  324 ,  326  extending from end edges  328  and  330  of panel  314 , respectively. Tear strip  332  extends from the edge  334  of the panel  324  to edge  336  of panel  326 . Flaps  324  and  326  include tabs  340 ,  342  formed by diverging pairs  344 ,  346  of perforations or through-cuts. Side panels  316 ,  318 , likewise include end flaps  348 ,  350 ,  352  and  354 , extending from their respective end edges, to improve the structural integrity of the articulated tray.  
     [0088] Each end piece blank  312  (FIG. 11) includes center panel  356  and wing panels  358 ,  360  separated by fold lines  359 ,  361 . Blank  312  is preferably fabricated from corrugated paperboard, and a preferred direction for the flutes of the corrugation is from top to bottom, as blank  312  is viewed in FIG. 11.  
     [0089] To assemble the Bliss-style tray  370  of FIG. 12, the two end piece blanks  312  are glued to the outer body wrapper blank  310 , and folded up to render five sides of the tray. Blanks  312  are laid on the ends of blank  310  such that panels  356  are positioned in overlying relation and affixed (e.g., by glue) to flaps  324 ,  326 , with edges  357  of panels  356  being substantially aligned with fold lines  325 ,  327 , respectively. At this stage of the formation process, the goods to be packaged may be placed on blank  310 , positioned over panel  314 . Alternatively, the formation of tray  370  may continue with flaps  324 ,  326  being folded up perpendicular with panel  314 . Panels  316  and  318  are folded up perpendicular to panel  314 , with flaps  358  and  360  being folded perpendicular to panels  356 , and to the inside of panels  316  and  318 , and adhered thereto. Panels  348 ,  350 ,  352 ,  354  are folded perpendicular to panels  316 ,  318 , into outside overlying relationship to corresponding portions of panels  356 , and adhered to, e.g., by glue, to create a tray  370  with five closed or substantially closed sides, and an open top area, into which the product to be packaged can then be lowered.  
     [0090] Tray  370  may be enclosed, e.g., by shrink wrap or the like, to protect the contents and prevent them from falling out. The formation of tray  370  may be accomplished by one of ordinary skill in the art of corrugated container formation, having the present disclosure before them, using generally known container formation techniques.  
     [0091] Once the tray  370  has arrived at the ultimate end user, and the contents have been removed, reduction of the tray may be accomplished when one or both of pull tabs  340 ,  342  created by lines of weakness  344 ,  346  in the panel flaps  324 ,  326  are pulled to remove the tear strip  332  from the panel  314 . Upon pulling of tear strip  332 , panel  314  is divided into two resultant panels. Reduction of tray  370  is further continued by folding the remnants of panel  314  inwardly or outwardly to positions parallel to panels  316 ,  318 , thus leaving a rectangular structure with open top and bottom regions. By pushing panels  316  and  318  toward one another, the rectangular structure collapses into a flat orientation, with multiple thicknesses of corrugated material without requiring any further tearing of the remaining blank material and particularly without the use of any cutting implements.  
     [0092] The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.