Shaped container and method of making

Abstract

The invention provides a container including a front panel and a back panel spaced from the front panel. The container also includes first and second side panels connecting the front and back panels. The container also includes at least one area of weakness on at least one of the front back and side panels. The container also includes a wrapping material extending around a portion of the container deforming the at least one area of weakness relative to the other of the panels. After wrapping, the container has a predetermined shape formed by deforming the area of weakness relative to the remainder of the container.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a front panel;    a back panel spaced from said front panel;    first and second side panels connecting said front and back panels;    at least one area of weakness on at least one of said front back and side panels; and    a wrapping material extending around a portion of said container deforming said at least one area of weakness relative to the other of said panels whereby said container has a predetermined shape formed by deforming said area of weakness relative to the remainder of said container.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said container includes a top panel and bottom panel connecting said front, back and side panels.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said wrapping material is a plastic film.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said wrapping material is plastic shrink wrap, said shrink wrap deforming said at least one area of weakness relative to the remainder of said container when heat is applied to said shrink wrap.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said area of weakness is defined by at least one line of weakness relative to the remainder of said container.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said wrapping material envelops said container.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein said wrapping material is plastic shrink wrap, said shrink wrap deforming said at least one area of weakness relative to the remainder of said container when heat is applied to said shrink wrap.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said area of weakness is defined by a plurality of lines of weakness relative to the remainder of said container.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said area of weakness is defined by at least two pair of opposed curved lines, one of said pairs extending generally longitudinally along said front panel closely adjacent said side panels, said other of said pairs extending generally longitudinally along said back panel closely adjacent said side panels, said wrapping material deforming said area of weakness relative to the remainder of said container to define a generally hour glass shape to said container.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said lines are slits cut into said container.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said lines are perforations formed in said container.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said lines are deformations formed in said container.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said area of weakness is defined by a plurality of closely adjacent fold lines.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein said lines are slits cut into said container.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein said lines are perforations formed in said container.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein said lines are deformations formed in said container.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said wrapping material has information printed thereon.  
   
   
       18 . A method for making a container comprising: 
 providing a blank having at least a front panel, back panel and side panels, said side panels connecting said front and back panels;    assembling said blank by connecting said side panels;    forming at least one area of weakness on at least one of said front back or side panels;    providing a wrapping material;    wrapping said wrapping material around at least a portion of said container; and    deforming said at least one area of weakness relative to the remainder of said container by squeezing said container with said wrapping material whereby said container has a predetermined shape formed by deforming said area of weakness relative to the remainder of said container.