Stackable container having support flanges

Abstract

Containers are disclosed having a plurality of interconnected panels forming sidewalls surrounding a central space. Flaps extend from lower sidewall edges and fold along fold lines to form a bottom. Support flanges are arranged along upper sidewall edges on oppositely facing sidewalls. The support flanges are oriented at right angles to the sidewalls and provide a support surface allowing the containers to be stacked one atop another without collapsing or nesting within each other. Side flanges are attached to each end of the support flanges and to sidewalls joined to the sidewalls having the support flanges. The side flanges each have an angularly oriented fold line which divides the side flanges into facing portions and permits them to fold like a bellows or accordion pleat. The facing portions are adhered together to hold the support flanges in position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container upon which another container having similar dimensions may be stacked without nesting in said container, said container comprising: 
 a plurality of panels attached to one another along adjacent edges to form a plurality of sidewalls surrounding a central space;    a plurality of flaps extending from said sidewalls to form a bottom;    a first flange attached to a first of said sidewalls along an edge thereof positioned opposite to said bottom; and    a second flange attached to a second of said sidewalls along an edge thereof positioned opposite to said bottom, said second sidewall being attached to said first sidewall, said second flange being attached to said first flange along a common edge, said first flange being oriented substantially parallel to said bottom and extending inwardly toward said central space for supporting said other container when stacked thereon, said second flange being folded along a fold line oriented at an angle to said common edge, said second flange being thereby divided into second overlying flange portions, each of said second overlying flange portions having an outer face, said outer faces being attached to one another in face to face relationship thereby holding said first flange in position substantially parallel to said bottom.    
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein said first flange extends across the length of said first sidewall.  
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 2 , further comprising a third flange attached to a third of said sidewalls along an edge thereof opposite to said bottom, said third sidewall being attached to said first sidewall in facing relationship opposite to said second sidewall, said third flange being attached to said first flange along a second common edge and being folded along a fold line oriented at an angle to said second common edge, said third flange being thereby divided into third overlying flange portions, each of said third overlying flange portions having an outer face, said outer faces of said third overlying flange portions being attached to one another in face to face relationship thereby holding said first flange in position substantially parallel to said bottom.  
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a fourth flange attached to a fourth of said sidewalls along an edge thereof positioned opposite to said bottom, said fourth sidewall being in facing relationship opposite said first sidewall and attached to said second and third sidewalls; and    a fifth flange attached to one of said second and third sidewalls along an edge thereof positioned opposite to said bottom, said fifth flange being attached to said fourth flange along a third common edge, said fourth flange being oriented substantially parallel to said bottom and extending inwardly toward said central space for supporting said other container when stacked thereon, said fifth flange being folded along a fold line oriented at an angle to said third common edge, said fifth flange being thereby divided into fifth overlying flange portions, each of said fifth overlying flange portions having an outer face, said outer faces of said fifth overlying flange portions being attached to one another in face to face relationship thereby holding said fourth flange in position substantially parallel to said bottom.    
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 4 , wherein said fourth flange extends across the length of said fourth sidewall.  
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 5 , further comprising a sixth flange attached to the other of said second and third sidewalls along an edge thereof opposite to said bottom, said sixth flange being attached to said fourth flange along a fourth common edge and being folded along a fold line oriented at an angle to said fourth common edge, said sixth flange being thereby divided into sixth overlying flange portions, each of said sixth overlying flange portions having an outer face, said outer faces of said sixth overlying flange portions being attached to one another in face to face relationship thereby holding said fourth flange in position substantially parallel to said bottom.  
     
     
         7 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein said faces of said overlying flange portions facing each other are adhesively bonded together.  
     
     
         8 . A container according to  claim 6  and formable from a knockdown having first and second knockdown walls attached to one another at first and second knockdown corners to form a substantially flat assembly, said first knockdown wall including said first and said second sidewalls and said first, second and sixth flanges in a substantially same first plane, said second knockdown wall including said third and fourth sidewalls and said third, fourth and fifth flanges in a second substantially same plane parallel to said first plane.  
     
     
         9 . A container according to  claim 6 , wherein said second, third, fifth and sixth flanges are square in shape and said fold line on each of said flanges extends diagonally thereacross.  
     
     
         10 . A container according to  claim 6 , wherein said flanges, said sidewalls and said flaps comprise corrugated paperboard.  
     
     
         11 . A container according to  claim 10 , wherein said fold lines dividing said flanges into said overlying flange portions are defined by respective perforations of said flanges.  
     
     
         12 . Support surfaces useable on containers to permit stacking of said containers one atop another without nesting, said containers comprising a plurality of interconnected panels forming sidewalls surrounding a central space, said sidewalls having flaps extending therefrom and foldable to form a bottom, a first and a second of said sidewalls facing one another in opposing relationship, said support surfaces comprising: 
 first and second support flanges respectively attached to said first and second sidewalls and extending lengthwise along edges thereof in spaced relation to said bottom, said support flanges each being oriented substantially at a right angle to said first and second sidewalls and projecting inwardly toward said central space; and    side flanges attached to each end of said first and second support flanges, each said side flange also being attached to a respective sidewall adjacent to one of said first and second sidewalls, said side flanges each being folded along a respective fold line extending diagonally across each said side flange, said fold line dividing each of said side flanges into overlying flange portions, each of said overlying flange portions having an outer face, said outer faces of overlying flange portions being attached to one another in face to face relationship.    
     
     
         13 . Support surfaces according to  claim 12 , wherein said flanges, said sidewalls and said flaps comprise corrugated paperboard.  
     
     
         14 . Support surfaces according to  claim 13 , wherein said fold lines dividing said side flanges into said overlying flange portions are defined by respective perforations of said side flanges.  
     
     
         15 . Support surfaces according to  claim 13 , wherein said first and second support flanges are integrally formed with said first and second sidewalls respectively, said first and second support flanges being defined by perforated fold lines located between said first and second sidewalls and said first and second flanges respectively.  
     
     
         16 . Support surfaces according to  claim 13  wherein said faces of said overlying flange portions are adhered together by an adhesive positioned therebetween.  
     
     
         17 . Support surfaces according to  claim 13  wherein said containers are formed from a knockdown having first and second knockdown walls attached to one another at first and second knockdown corners to form a substantially flat assembly, said first knockdown wall including said first sidewall, said first support flange, one of said adjacent sidewalls attached to said first sidewall, and two of said side flanges attached to said one adjacent sidewall, all located in a substantially same first plane, said second knockdown wall including said second sidewall, said second support flange, another of said adjacent sidewalls attached to said second sidewall, and two of said side flanges attached to said other adjacent sidewall, all located in a substantially same second plane parallel to said first plane.