Container with triangular corner posts

Abstract

A single-piece containerboard blank ( 10 ) is provided having hingedly-connected first and second side walls ( 26 ), ( 34 ) in which the second side wall ( 26 ) is smaller in length than the first side wall ( 34 ). The second side walls each include an outer abutment edge ( 42 ). The first side walls include first and second interior end walls ( 50 ), ( 52 ). Each second interior end wall ( 52 ) includes a hypotenuse panel ( 62 ) with an inwardly-oriented edge ( 66 ). As assembled, the blank ( 10 ) forms a container having opposed multi-ply side panels, opposed end panels, and a bottom panel. The hypotenuse panels ( 62 ) are oriented in an upright manner and ultimately positioned so that their inwardly-oriented edges ( 66 ) push against the first side wall and preferably also against the abutment edges ( 42 ) of the second side wall ( 34 ). The hypotenuse panels ( 62 ) offer stacking strength and reinforcement to the container. In one embodiment, tabs ( 92 ) and mating openings ( 96 ) are provided to help stabilize the container when multiple containers are placed in a stack. In another embodiment, top closure panels ( 100 ) are provided to close off the upper portions of the container.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         10 . In a container having a corner formed from a first side wall and a first interior end wall, the first side wall and first interior end wall being placed at a generally orthogonal angle relative to one another, an improvement comprising: 
 (a) a second side wall positioned adjacent the first interior end wall, the second side wall having an exposed upright abutment edge that falls short of the corner; and    (b) a second interior end wall positioned adjacent the first interior end wall, the second interior end wall being longer than its adjacent first interior end wall and including a seam that delineates an upright hypotenuse panel.    
     
     
         11 . The improvement according to  claim 10 , wherein the second side wall and the second interior end wall are dimensioned so that the outer edge of the hypotenuse panel contacts both the first side wall and the second side wall.  
     
     
         12 . The improvement according to  claim 10 , wherein the second side wall is hingedly connected to the first side wall.  
     
     
         13 . The improvement according to  claim 12 , wherein the second interior end wall is hingedly connected to the first interior end wall.  
     
     
         14 . The improvement according to  claim 10 , wherein the container includes a bottom panel, the first side wall being hingedly connected to a side edge of the bottom panel.  
     
     
         15 . The improvement according to  claim 10 , wherein the corner has a predefined height, and wherein the upright hypotenuse panel extends the full height of the corner.  
     
     
         16 . The improvement according to  claim 15 , wherein the abutment edge extends the full height of the corner.  
     
     
         17 . A container comprising: 
 a bottom panel;    a first side wall hingedly attached with the bottom panel;    an end wall hingedly attached to the bottom panel;    a second side wall adjacent the first side wall, the length of said second side wall being shorter than said first side wall;    a first interior end wall adjacent said end wall;    a second interior end wall adjacent said first interior end wall, opposite said end wall; and    a hypotenuse panel extending between said first side wall and said second interior end wall.    
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the height of the hypotenuse panel is substantially equal to height of the first side wall.  
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 17 , further comprising a top panel hingedly attached with the end wall.