Package for stacked array

Claim 1

A package for an elongated object or a stacked array of objects, said package comprising: a rectangular paperboard carton having dimensions slightly greater than the maximum lateral dimension of said object or said array; said carton having front, bottom and rear panels connected along parallel fold lines and a top panel hingedly connected to the upper edge of said rear panel; a top cover closure flap extending the length of said top cover and hingedly connected along an edge opposite said rear panels, said flap positioned exterior of the upper portion of said front panel as a manufacturer's joint; end closure flaps attached to the ends of at least said top panel, said flaps connected to said top panel along frangible score lines; a rectangular sheet of shrinkable plastic film surrounding said array along its lengthwise extent; a first edge of said sheet of film adhesively attached to said carton adjacent the upper edge of said front panel on the inner facing surface thereof; said sheet adhesively attached along its midpoint to the inner surface of said carton near the hinge line connecting said bottom and rear panels; the remaining edge of said sheet of film adhesively attached to the inner surface of said carton adjacent the edge of said top panel opposite said rear panel; and said sleeve being shrunk into close conformity with said object or said array to suspend it away from contact with the panels of said carton.