Packaging container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging container which includes a main body formed from a covering material, where this main body being adapted to enclose an area. The packaging container also includes a plurality of support beams and is characterized in that the support beams are located within or adjacent to the side walls of the container. Preferably such support beams may be located substantially in the center of the side walls of the container to resist compressive forces applied to the top or upper sections of the container.

What we claim is:  
     
         1 . A packaging container which includes, 
 a main body formed from a covering material, said main body being adapted to enclose an area and being adapted to form at least one side wall, and    a plurality of support beams,    the container being characterised in that the support beams are located within or adjacent to the walls of the container.    
     
     
         2 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  which includes a base adapted to provide a platform to which at least a portion of a side wall is mounted, said base being adapted to allow the container to be stacked on top of other containers.  
     
     
         3 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 2  which includes a cap adapted to provide an upper closure to the area enclosed by the main body, said cap being adapted to receive another container base stacked on top of said cap.  
     
     
         4 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the plurality of support beams are used to locate a base and/or a cap of the container with respect to at least one side wall of the container.  
     
     
         5 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the support beams allow compressive forces applied to the cap to be transmitted to the base of the container.  
     
     
         6 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support beams extend the entire height of a side wall.  
     
     
         7 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support beams are located substantially around the circumference of the container.  
     
     
         8 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support beams are located within the side wall or walls of a container.  
     
     
         9 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support beams are provided adjacent to the side wall or walls of a container.  
     
     
         10 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support beams are located substantially in the centre of each side wall of the container.  
     
     
         11 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a single support beam is provided for each side wall of the container.  
     
     
         12 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a support beam is formed from material having a greater resistance to compression than said covering material.  
     
     
         13 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a support beam is formed from a panel shaped element.  
     
     
         14 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a support beam is formed from a wood based product.  
     
     
         15 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the covering material creates an outer cladding to the container and defines the main area enclosed.  
     
     
         16 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the covering material is formed from corrugated card.  
     
     
         17 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one container side wall is formed from multiple layers of covering material and at least one support beam.  
     
     
         18 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one side wall of the container are formed from two layers of covering material providing an outer cladding and an inner surface for said side wall, wherein a support beam is sandwiched between said layers of covering material within the interior of said side wall.  
     
     
         19 . A packaging container as claimed in  claim 1  which is adapted to package bulk volumes of liquid located within a flexible bladder.