Product container and reinforcement for a product container

Abstract

A reinforcement member for a hollow structure includes a plurality of generally planar panels. The panels can include a plurality of outer support panels and at least one inner support panel. The outer support panels can include a first panel, a second panel extending generally perpendicular to the first panel, a third panel extending generally perpendicular to the second panel, and a fourth panel extending generally perpendicular to the first panel. The at least one inner support panel can include a fifth panel extending between the second panel and the third panel, the fifth panel forming a first obtuse angle with the second panel and a second obtuse angle with the third panel.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A reinforcement member for a hollow structure, the reinforcement member comprising a plurality of generally planar panels comprising:
 A. a plurality of outer support panels, the outer support panels comprising:
 i. a first panel; 
 ii. a second panel extending generally perpendicular to the first panel; 
 iii. a third panel extending generally perpendicular to the second panel; and 
 iv. a fourth panel extending generally perpendicular to the first panel, and 
   B. a plurality of inner support panels, the inner support panels comprising:
 i. a fifth panel extending between the second panel and the third panel; and 
 ii. a sixth panel extending between the first panel and the fourth panel, 
   the fifth panel forming a first obtuse angle with the second panel and a second obtuse angle with the third panel, and the sixth panel forming a third obtuse angle with the first panel and a fourth obtuse angle with the fourth panel.   
     
     
         2 . The reinforcement member of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth panels are arranged with respect to one another along a rectangular outline. 
     
     
         3 . The reinforcement member of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth panels are arranged with respect to one another along a square outline. 
     
     
         4 . The reinforcement member of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth panels are arranged with respect to one another along an irregular hexagonal outline. 
     
     
         5 . The reinforcement member of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outer support panels comprises a first panel section and a second panel section, the first and second panel sections separated from one another by a gap. 
     
     
         6 . The reinforcement member of  claim 1 , wherein the sum of the first obtuse angle, second obtuse angle, third obtuse angle and fourth obtuse angle is approximately 540 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The reinforcement member of  claim 1 , wherein the outer and inner support panels are collapsible to a generally flattened state in which the second, third and fifth panels generally lie in a first plane, and the first, fourth and sixth panels generally lie in a second plane. 
     
     
         8 . The reinforcement member of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the fifth panel and sixth panel comprises a first panel section and second panel section, the first and second panel sections joined together end to end. 
     
     
         9 . The reinforcement member of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outer support panels comprises a first panel section and a second panel section, the first and second panel sections joined together end to end. 
     
     
         10 . The reinforcement member of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outer support panels comprises a first panel section and a second panel section, the first panel section comprising a first end surface, and the second panel section comprising a second end surface, the first end surface and second end surface facing each other and in direct contact with one another. 
     
     
         11 . The reinforcement member of  claim 10 , wherein the first end surface and second end surface in direct contact with one another form a support column. 
     
     
         12 . A reinforcement member for a hollow structure, the reinforcement member comprising a plurality of generally planar panels comprising:
 A. a plurality of outer support panels, the outer support panels comprising:
 i. a first panel; 
 ii. a second panel extending generally perpendicular to the first panel; 
 iii. a third panel extending generally perpendicular to the second panel; and 
 iv. a fourth panel extending generally perpendicular to the first panel, and 
   B. at least one inner support panel, the inner support panel comprising a fifth panel extending between the second panel and the third panel, the fifth panel forming a first obtuse angle with the second panel and a second obtuse angle with the third panel.   
     
     
         13 . The reinforcement member of  claim 12 , wherein the outer support panels and at least one inner support panel are arranged with respect to one another along an irregular polygonal outline. 
     
     
         14 . The reinforcement member of  claim 13 , wherein the outer support panels and at least one inner support panel are arranged with respect to one another along an irregular pentagon outline. 
     
     
         15 . The reinforcement member of  claim 12 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth panels are arranged with respect to one another along a rectangular outline. 
     
     
         16 . The reinforcement member of  claim 12 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth panels are arranged with respect to one another along a square outline. 
     
     
         17 . The reinforcement member of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the outer support panels comprises a first panel section and a second panel section, the first and second panel sections separated from one another by a gap. 
     
     
         18 . The reinforcement member of  claim 12 , wherein the sum of the first obtuse angle, second obtuse angle, third obtuse angle and fourth obtuse angle is approximately 540 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The reinforcement member of  claim 12 , wherein the outer support panels and at least one inner support panel are collapsible to a generally flattened state in which the at least one inner panel and some of the outer panels generally lie in a first plane, and the other outer panels generally lie in a second plane generally parallel to the first plane. 
     
     
         20 . A reinforced hollow structure comprising:
 A. an outer structure comprising a first side wall, a second side wall extending generally parallel to the first side wall, a third side wall extending generally perpendicular to the second side wall, and a fourth side wall extending generally perpendicular to the first side wall; and   B. a reinforcement member for the outer structure, the reinforcement member comprising a plurality of generally planar panels, the generally planar panels comprising:
 i. a plurality of outer support panels, the outer support panels comprising:
 a. a first panel; 
 b. a second panel extending generally perpendicular to the first panel; 
 c. a third panel extending generally perpendicular to the second panel; and 
 d. a fourth panel extending generally perpendicular to the first panel, and 
 
 ii. at least one inner support panel, the at least one inner support panel comprising a fifth panel extending between the second panel and the third panel, 
   the fifth panel forming a first obtuse angle with the second panel and a second obtuse angle with the third panel.