Octagonal bulk bin with means to resist initiation of failure of the vertical score in the bin

Abstract

In a bulk bin having side walls joined to one another at adjacent edges along vertical scores, and bottom flaps joined to bottom edges of the side walls along a flap score, with adjacent flaps separated from one another by a flap slot, a shaped cut is made at the terminal end of the flap slot to redirect stress away from the bottom end of the vertical score and resist initiation of tearing of the vertical score at that point. In one embodiment, the shaped cut is a downwardly open hook shape which terminates in an end pointing laterally away from the vertical score and into the flap. In another embodiment, the shaped cut resembles a modified Greek letter psi (ψ), with the ends pointing laterally away from the vertical score, and in still another embodiment, the shaped cut is “T” shaped, with the ends of the “T” pointing laterally away from the vertical score.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 ) A container, comprising 
 side walls joined at adjacent edges along vertical scores;    bottom-forming flaps joined to the side walls along flap scores wherein adjacent flaps are separated from one another by flap slots, at least one flap slot extending angularly relative to the vertical score and having a terminal end near but spaced from an associated vertical score; and    at least one open hook shaped cut line located between the terminal end of the flap slot and the vertical score, wherein    the cut line does not intersect the associated flap score and the hook terminates at an end pointing in a direction back into an associated flap.    
   
   
       8 ) The container according to  claim 7 , further comprising 
 at least one crushed area formed on at least one of the flaps.    
   
   
       9 ) The container according to  claim 7 , further comprising 
 at least one crushed area adjacent the at least one cut line.    
   
   
       10 ) The container according to  claim 9 , wherein crush areas are have a one inch radius.  
   
   
       11 ) The container according to  claim 7 , comprising at least four side walls.  
   
   
       12 ) The container according to  claim 7 , comprising at least eight side walls.  
   
   
       13 ) The container according to  claim 7 , wherein the side walls have the same width.  
   
   
       14 ) A container, comprising 
 side walls joined at adjacent edges along vertical scores;    bottom-forming flaps joined to the side walls along flap scores wherein adjacent flaps are separated from one another by flap slots, at least one flap slot having a terminal end near but spaced from an associated vertical score; and    at least one downwardly open hook shaped cut line located between the terminal end of the flap slot and the vertical score; wherein 
 the cut line is positioned in such a manner that it intersects an associated flap score and the hook terminates at an end pointing in a direction back into an associated flap.  
   
   
   
       15 ) The container according to  claim 14 , further comprising 
 at least one crushed area formed on at least one of the flaps.    
   
   
       16 ) The container according to  claim 14 , further comprising 
 at least one crushed area adjacent the at least one cut line.    
   
   
       17 ) The container according to  claim 16 , wherein crush areas are have a one inch radius.  
   
   
       18 ) The container according to  claim 14 , comprising at least four side walls.  
   
   
       19 ) The container according to  claim 14 , comprising at least eight side walls.  
   
   
       20 ) The container according to  claim 14 , wherein the side walls have the same width.  
   
   
       21 ) A container, comprising 
 side walls joined at adjacent edges along vertical scores;    bottom-forming flaps joined to the side walls along flap scores wherein adjacent flaps are separated from one another by flap slots, at least one flap slot having a terminal end near but spaced from an associated vertical score; and    at least one downwardly open book shaped line located between the terminal end of the flap slot and the vertical score; wherein 
 the hook terminates at an end pointing in a direction back into an associated flap, and  
 the direction in which the hook terminates intersects with the plane of the vertical score.  
   
   
   
       22 ) The container according to  claim 21 , further comprising 
 at least one crushed area formed on at least one of the flaps.    
   
   
       23 ) The container according to  claim 21 , further comprising 
 at least one crushed area adjacent the at least one cut line.    
   
   
       24 ) The container according to  claim 23 , wherein crush areas are have a one inch radius.  
   
   
       25 ) The container according to  claim 21 , comprising at least four side walls.  
   
   
       26 ) The container according to  claim 21 , comprising at least eight side walls.  
   
   
       27 ) The container according to  claim 21 , wherein the side walls have the same width.