Container for shipping and storing paper

Abstract

A container for shipping and/or storing a stack of paper is disclosed. The container, according to a disclosed embodiment, comprises a bottom wall and first and second upright, opposing side walls extending from respective edges of the bottom wall. First and second shell portions are connected in a pivotal manner to respective edges of the bottom wall. The shell portions are pivotable toward and away from each to close and open the container, respectively. When the container is closed, the stack is securely contained between the shell portions and the side walls for shipping or storing. When the container is opened, at least two opposing sides of the stack are exposed to facilitate removal of paper from the container. A handle for carrying or lifting the container may be coupled to one of the shell portions.

1 . A container for containing one or more articles, comprising:
 a bottom wall;   first and second shell portions connected in a pivotable manner to opposing edges of the bottom wall and each having a respective top panel, the shell portions being pivotable between a closed position and an open position, wherein when the shell portions are in the closed position, the shell portions substantially enclose the articles and the top panel of the first shell portion extends over the top panel of the second shell portion in an overlapping relationship, and wherein when the shell portions are in the open position, the articles are exposed at least at two opposing sides of the container to facilitate removal of articles from the container, each top panel of the first and second shell portions having an opening and inner and outer surfaces;   a backing piece adhesively secured to the inner surface of the top panel of the second shell portion; and   a handle having opposite end portions adhesively secured to the backing piece and a gripping portion between the opposite end portions extending upwardly through the opening in the top panel of the second shell portion, the gripping portion also extending upwardly through the opening in the top panel of the first shell portion when the shell portions are in the closed position.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a polymeric flexible strap. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each shell portion has respective first and second side panels configured 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. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second side walls extending from respective edges of the bottom wall, the side walls being positionable within the shell portions when the shell portions are in the closed position. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second side walls are hingedly connected to respective edges of the bottom wall so that the side walls can be pivoted away from each other when the shell portions are in the open position to expose the articles at all sides of the container. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more articles comprises at least one stack of paper.