Container for shipping and storing paper

A container for containing a stack of paper, comprising a bottom wall defining first and second pivotable shell portions, the first and second shell portions being pivotable between a closed position for containing the stack of paper for shipping or storing and open position, in which at least two opposing sides of the stack are exposed to facilitate removal of paper from the container;

• the first shell portion comprising a main panel pivotally connected at a bottom edge thereof to a first edge of the bottom wall, a top panel extending from a top edge of the main panel, and first and second, spaced apart side panels, each extending from a respective side edge of the main panel;
• and
• the second shell portion comprising a main panel pivotally connected at a bottom edge thereof to a second edge of the bottom wall, a top panel extending from a top edge of the main panel of the second shell portion, and first and second, spaced apart side panels, each extending from a respective side edge of the main panel of the second shell portion;
• whereby when the shell portions are in the closed position, each side panel of the first shell portion extends in an overlapping relationship with one of the side panels of the second shell portion;
• wherein the shell portions are retained in the closed position by an adhesive applied between each side panel of the first shell portion and one of the side panels of the second shell portion.

A container for containing one or more articles, comprising:

• a bottom;
• first and second side walls extending upwardly from respective edges of the bottom, the first side wall being opposite the second side wall, the first and second side walls extending substantially the entire height of the container;
• and
• first and second shell portions, each connected in a pivotable manner to a respective edge of the bottom, the shell portions being pivotable toward each other to a closed position for containing the articles therebetween for shipping or storing the articles, the shell portions also being pivotable away from each other to cause the container to be open at two opposing sides of the container to facilitate removal of articles from the container;
• each shell portion having a respective main panel and respective first and second side panels extending therefrom such that, when the shell portions are pivoted to the closed position, each side panel of the first shell portion extends in an overlapping relationship with one of the side panels of the second shell portion and one of the side walls, the container having a width extending between the main panels;
• the first and second side panels of the first shell portion extending substantially the entire height of the container;
• the first and second side panels of the second shell portion extending substantially the entire height of the container and less than the width of the container, the first and second side panels of the second shell portion extending outside of the first and second side panels of the first shell portion when the shell portions are in the closed position;
• wherein each of the first and second side panels of the second shell portion has a width that tapers in a direction extending from a top edge of each side panel to a bottom edge of each side panel;
• wherein each of the first and second side panels of the second shell portion has a convex curved edge extending in a direction from its top edge to its bottom edge and tapers from a maximum width at its top edge to a minimum width adjacent its bottom edge.

A blank for forming a container for containing paper, comprising:

• a bottom panel dimensioned to support a stack of paper;
• a first shell portion extending from a first edge of the bottom panel;
• a second shell portion extending from a second edge of the bottom panel, opposite the first shell portion;
• the shell portions being configured such that, when the container is formed from the blank, the shell portions are pivotable relative to the bottom panel between a closed position for containing the stack of paper for shipping or storing and open position, in which at least two opposing sides of the stack are exposed to facilitate removal of paper from the container, at least the first shell portion having a top panel for forming at least a portion of the top of the container;
• a first side wall extending from a third edge of the bottom panel;
• and
• a second side wall extending from a fourth edge of the bottom panel, opposite the first side wall;
• each of the first and second side walls having opposing side edges that are separated from the first and second shell portions to permit folding of the first and second side walls relative to the bottom panel to upright positions extending perpendicularly to the bottom panel when the container is formed from the blank;
• the first shell portion defining a main panel extending from the bottom panel and first and second spaced apart side panels, each extending from a respective side edge of the associated main panel;
• and
• the second shell portion defining a main panel extending from the bottom panel and first and second spaced apart side panels, each extending from a respective side edge of the associated main panel;
• wherein the main panel and the first and second side panels of each shell portion are formed without slits or openings.

A blank for forming a container for containing one or more articles, comprising:

• a bottom panel;
• first and second side walls extending from respective edges of the bottom panel, the first side wall being opposite the second side wall, the side walls being foldable relative to the bottom panel, each side wall having a height that extends substantially the entire height inside the container formed from the blank;
• and
• first and second shell portions extending from respective edges of the bottom panel, the first shell portion being opposite the second shell portion, each shell portion has a main panel, a top panel, and first and second side panels;
• wherein when the container is formed from the blank, the shell portions are pivotable relative to the bottom panel toward each other to a closed position for containing the articles therebetween for shipping or storing the articles, the shell portions also being pivotable away from each other to cause the container to be open at two opposing sides of the container to facilitate removal of articles from the container;
• wherein the first and second side walls and the main panel, top panel, and side panels are formed without any slits or openings.

A container for containing a stack of paper, comprising:

• a base;
• a first shell portion having a first main panel extending away from the base, a first top panel extending from a top edge of the first main panel and having a handle, and first and second side flaps, each extending from a respective side edge of the first main panel and being adhesively secured in a perpendicular relationship to the first top panel, the first shell portion being connected at a bottom edge thereof to the base and pivotable between a closed position and an open position such that, when the first shell portion is in the closed position, the first main panel is adjacent to and covers one side of the stack, the first top panel is adjacent to and covers at least a portion of the top of the stack and each of the first and second side flaps are adjacent to and cover at least a portion of opposite ends of the stack;
• a second shell portion being opposite the first shell portion, the second shell portion having a second main panel extending away from the base, a second top panel extending from a top edge of the second main panel and defining an opening, and third and fourth side flaps, each extending from a respective side edge of the second main panel and being adhesively secured in a perpendicular relationship to the second top panel, the second shell portion being connected at a bottom edge thereof to the base and pivotable between a closed position and an open position, such that when the second shell portion is in the closed position, the second main panel is adjacent to and covers one side of the stack, the second top panel overlaps the first top panel and the handle extends through the opening, the third side flap extends in an overlapping relationship with the first side flap and the fourth side flap extends in an overlapping relationship with the second side flap;
• and
• first and second side walls extending upwardly from the base, the first side wall being opposite the second side wall, wherein when the shell portions are in the closed position, the first and second side walls are disposed within the first and second shell portions, with the first side wall being interposed between the stack and the first and third side flaps and the second side wall being interposed between the stack and the second and fourth side flaps, the first and second side walls being pivotably connected to the base so that the side walls can be pivoted downwardly away from the stack when the shell portions are in the open position;
• whereby when the shell portions are in the open position and the first and second side panels are folded downwardly away from the stack, all four sides of the stack are accessible to facilitate removal of paper from the container.