Container and container blank usable with a liquid impermeable bag

Abstract

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a single piece blank for forming a container configured for use with a liquid impermeable bag having a valve assembly is provided. The blank includes a bottom panel, opposed side panels and a top panel, opposite the bottom panel. Bottom end panels are hingedly attached to the bottom panel at opposite ends of the bottom panel. Formed in one of the bottom end panels is a hinge panel. Also formed in the same bottom end panel is a substantially circular, removable panel. The substantially circular removable panel is generally positioned between the hinge panel and the bottom panel. Further, each side panel includes either a primary end panel or a secondary end panel, wherein the primary end panel is larger than the secondary end panel.

1 . A single sheet of foldable material cut and scored to define a container blank comprising: 
 a bottom panel, said bottom panel having a side edge and an end edge;    a pair of opposed side panels, each side panel being hingedly attached to the bottom panel along a respective side edge;    a top panel hingedly attached to one of said side panel, opposite said bottom panel;    a bottom end panel hingedly attached to said bottom panel along said end edge;    a hinge panel formed entirely within the bottom end panel; and    a substantially circular removable panel within bottom end panel.    
   
   
       2 . The blank of  claim 1  wherein the container blank is formed from at least one of a paperboard, containerboard, cardboard, pasteboard, fiberboard, corrugated containerboard, corrugated paperboard, single wall corrugated containerboard, and multi-wall corrugated containerboard.  
   
   
       3 . The blank of  claim 1  further comprising a liquid impermeable bag attached to an inside of the blank.  
   
   
       4 . The blank of  claim 3  wherein said circular liquid impermeable bag further comprises a valve assembly.  
   
   
       5 . A container comprising: 
 a bottom panel, said bottom panel having a side edge and an end edge;    a pair of opposed side panels, each side panel being hingedly attached to the bottom panel along a respective side edge;    a top panel hingedly attached to one of said side panel, opposite said bottom panel;    a bottom end panel hingedly attached to said bottom panel along said end edge;    a hinge panel formed entirely within the bottom end panel; and    a substantially circular removable panel within bottom end panel.    
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the container is formed from at least one of a paperboard, containerboard, cardboard, pasteboard, fiberboard, corrugated containerboard, corrugated paperboard, single wall corrugated containerboard, and multi-wall corrugated containerboard.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 5  comprising a liquid impermeable bag attached to an inside of the container.