Packaging

Abstract

A blank formable into packaging defining an interior and having a thickness includes a main panel, a first side expansion assembly connected to the main panel, a second side expansion assembly connected to the main panel opposite the first side expansion assembly, a bottom expansion assembly connected to the main panel adjacent both the first side expansion assembly and the second side expansion assembly, and a top panel assembly. The top panel assembly includes a selectable thickness bend element. The top panel assembly encloses the packaging by securing to the bottom expansion assembly. The selectable thickness bend element bends at varying locations within the top panel assembly. The first side expansion assembly, the second side expansion assembly, and the bottom expansion assembly are configured to expand such that the packaging can be arranged in a plurality of arrangements.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A blank formable into packaging defining an interior and having a thickness, the blank comprising:
 a main panel;   a first side expansion assembly connected to the main panel;   a second side expansion assembly connected to the main panel opposite the first side expansion assembly;   a bottom expansion assembly connected to the main panel adjacent both the first side expansion assembly and the second side expansion assembly; and,   a top panel assembly, the top panel assembly comprising a selectable thickness bend element,
 the top panel assembly configured to enclose the packaging by securing to the bottom expansion assembly, 
 the selectable thickness bend element configured to bend at varying locations within the top panel assembly, and 
 the first side expansion assembly, the second side expansion assembly, and the bottom expansion assembly configured to expand such that the packaging can be arranged in a plurality of arrangements. 
   
     
     
         2 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the blank is formed of one of corrugated cardboard, paperboard, paper, and kraft paper. 
     
     
         3 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the selectable thickness bend element comprises a first bend line, a second bend line, a third bend line, and a fourth bend line. 
     
     
         4 . The blank of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an interior panel arranged between the selectable thickness bend element and the main panel; and   an exterior panel arranged adjacent to the selectable thickness bend element, the exterior panel arranged opposite the selectable thickness bend element from the interior panel;   the exterior panel comprising an interior portion, an exterior portion, and a tearaway assembly.   
     
     
         5 . The blank of  claim 4 , wherein the tearaway assembly comprises a first line, a midsection, and a second line. 
     
     
         6 . The blank of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 the first line comprising a tearaway line;   the second line comprising a tearaway line;   the first line perforated to allow tearing away of the midsection; and   the second line perforated to allow tearing away of the midsection.   
     
     
         7 . The blank of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a first upper wing panel connected to the interior panel, the first upper wing panel partially defining an outer edge of the blank; and   a second upper wing panel connected to the interior panel, the second upper wing panel partially defining an outer edge of the blank.   
     
     
         8 . The blank of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a first lower wing panel connected to a first bottom panel by a fifth bend line;   a second lower wing panel connected to a second bottom panel by a sixth bend line;   the first lower wing panel partially defining a first outer edge of the blank; and   the second lower wing panel partially defining a second outer edge of the blank.   
     
     
         9 . The blank of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the first side expansion assembly comprising a first panel connected to a second panel;   the first panel comprising a top section connected to a bottom section by a first bend line of the selectable thickness bend element;   the second panel comprising a top section connected to a bottom section by a second bend line of the selectable thickness bend element; and   the first bend line and the second bend line forming a single continuous curve.   
     
     
         10 . The blank of  claim 9 , wherein the top section of the first panel, the bottom section of the first panel, the top section of the second panel, and the bottom section of the second panel are about triangular in shape. 
     
     
         11 . A packaging element formed from a blank, the packaging element comprising:
 a main panel;   a flexible first side expansion assembly connected in bendable relation to the main panel;   a flexible second side expansion assembly connected in bendable relation to the main panel;   a flexible bottom expansion assembly connected in bendable relation to the main panel;   a first back panel connected to the first side expansion assembly;   a second back panel connected to the second side expansion assembly, the first back panel affixed to the second back panel; and,   a top panel connected to the main panel, the top panel comprising a selectable thickness bend element, the top panel configured to be affixed to at least one of the first back panel and the second back panel.   
     
     
         12 . The packaging element of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a bend line connecting the first back panel to the main panel;   the first back panel comprising a lateral end opposite the bend line, a top end adjacent to the lateral end, a bottom end opposite the top end, and the bottom end adjacent to the lateral end;   the lateral end comprising an upper section, a lower section, and a midsection; and the midsection comprising a slant to transition between the upper section and the lower section.   
     
     
         13 . The packaging element of  claim 11 , wherein the second back panel comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . A packaging element comprising:
 a front;   a back;   a first side expansion assembly connecting the front to the back;   a second side expansion assembly connecting the front to the back;   a bottom expansion assembly connecting the front to the back, wherein the front, the back, the first side expansion assembly, the second side expansion assembly, and the bottom expansion assembly together define an interior and an opening allowing access to the interior, the interior defining an interior volume; and   a top panel assembly connected to the front proximate the opening and arranged to be affixed to the back in one of multiple locations,   wherein each expansion assembly is configured to flex such that the front is movable with respect to the back,   wherein the packaging element is configurable to be arranged in one of a minimally-expanded state, a moderately-expanded state, and a substantially-expanded state, and   wherein the top panel assembly is configurable to cover the opening and to be affixed to the back regardless of the state in which the packaging element is configured.   
     
     
         15 . The packaging element of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a main panel, a cover panel, a first back panel, a second back panel, a bottom expansion assembly, and a top panel assembly;   the first side expansion assembly connecting the first back panel to the main panel by a first bend line, the second side expansion assembly connecting the second back panel to the main panel by a second bend line;   the bottom expansion assembly connecting the cover panel to the main panel;   the top panel assembly connected to the main panel by a bend line; and   a main body defined by the first back panel, the second back panel, the expansion assemblies, the cover panel, and the main panel;   wherein the top panel assembly further comprises a selectable thickness bend element, the selectable thickness bend element comprises a first bend line, a second bend line, a third bend line, and a fourth bend line.   
     
     
         16 . The packaging element of  claim 15 , wherein the minimally-expanded state comprises:
 the top panel assembly bent along the first bend line of the selectable thickness bend element, the top panel assembly adhered to the main body with an adhesive liner; and   the minimally-expanded state defining an interior volume less than the moderately-expanded state, the minimally-expanded state defining an interior volume less than the substantially-expanded state.   
     
     
         17 . The packaging element of  claim 15 , wherein the moderately-expanded state comprises:
 the top panel assembly bent along the second bend line of the selectable thickness bend element, the top panel assembly adhered to the main body with an adhesive liner; and   the moderately-expanded state defining an interior volume greater than the minimally-expanded state, the moderately-expanded state defining an interior volume less than the substantially-expanded state.   
     
     
         18 . The packaging element of  claim 15 , wherein the substantially-expanded state comprises:
 the top panel assembly bent along one of the third bend line and the fourth bend line of the selectable thickness bend element, the top panel assembly adhered to the main body with an adhesive liner; and   the substantially-expanded state defining an interior volume greater than the minimally-expanded state, the substantially-expanded state defining an interior volume greater than the moderately-expanded state.   
     
     
         19 . The packaging element of  claim 15 , wherein each bend line defines a curve in shape. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging element of  claim 15 , wherein each bend line comprises at least one of score lines, creased regions, and perforations.