Durable Container with Integrated Protection Feature

Abstract

A container (100) comprises a container body (102) having a cavity for receiving a product therein, the container body having a front surface (112), back surface (120), first sidewall (116) and second sidewall (118), and a bumper (121, 124) attached to at least a first sidewall of the container body, wherein the bumper comprises a first opening extending thereinto by a predetermined depth, the bumper being configured to elastically deform to absorb external forces applied to the container.

1 . A container comprising:
 a container body having a cavity for receiving a product therein, the container body having a front surface, back surface, first sidewall and second sidewall; and   a bumper attached to or integral with at least a first sidewall of the container body, wherein the bumper comprises a first opening extending thereinto by a predetermined depth, the bumper being configured to elastically deform to absorb external forces applied to the container.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening extends along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container body. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a second opening extending into the bumper by the predetermined depth, wherein the first opening is positioned adjacent a first sidewall of the container body and the second opening is positioned adjacent a second sidewall of the container body. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein each of the first and second openings is positioned at a longitudinal midpoint of the container body. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein each of the first and second openings extends through the bumper and is open at first and second ends thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second openings extend over at least 50% of the length of the container body. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a third opening extending into the bumper and positioned opposite the first opening, the third opening being axially aligned with the first opening; and   a fourth opening extending into the bumper and positioned opposite the second opening, the fourth opening being axially aligned with the second opening.   
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the first opening is open to the third opening and the second opening is open to the fourth opening. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth openings has a predetermined depth, said depth being less than a depth of the container, wherein said the first, second, third and fourth openings are open at respective first ends and closed at respective second ends. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth openings are tapered. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of additional openings extending into the bumper, wherein said plurality of additional openings comprises a plurality of pairs of opposed openings provided adjacent one or more corners of the container. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein a sidewall of the first and second openings is curved. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 3 , further comprising a protrusion formed on the first and second sidewalls adjacent the first and second openings. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a shipping label attached directly to one of the container body and the bumper. 
     
     
         16 . A container, comprising:
 a container body having a cavity for receiving a product therein and a lid sealing an opening to said cavity, the container body having a front surface, back surface, first sidewall and second sidewall; and   a protective bumper enclosing said container body, said protective bumper comprising a first opening extending thereinto by a predetermined depth, the protective bumper being configured to deform to absorb external forces applied to the container.   
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , further comprising a second opening extending into the bumper by the predetermined depth, wherein the first opening is positioned adjacent the first sidewall of the container body and the second opening is positioned adjacent a second sidewall of the container body. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein each of the first and second openings extends through the bumper and is open at first and second ends thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a third opening extending into the bumper and positioned opposite and being open to the first opening, the third opening being axially aligned with the first opening; and   a fourth opening extending into the bumper and positioned opposite and being open to the second opening, the fourth opening being axially aligned with the second opening,   wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth openings has a predetermined depth, said depth being less than a depth of the container, wherein said the first, second, third and fourth openings are open at respective first ends and closed at respective second ends.   
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 17 , further comprising a shipping label attached directly to one of the container body and the protective bumper. 
     
     
         22 . A method of shipping, comprising:
 affixing a shipping label directly to a container according to  claim 1 , said container comprising a container body having a cavity for receiving a product therein, the container body having a front surface, back surface, first sidewall and second sidewall, and a bumper attached to at least a first sidewall of the container body, the bumper adapted to absorb forces applied to the container to protect the container body, wherein the bumper comprises a first opening extending thereinto by a predetermined depth, the opening being configured to elastically deform to absorb external forces applied to the container; and   shipping said container, with the proviso that no secondary packaging is provided for said container, wherein said container is configured to withstand forces applied thereto during shipping without fracturing or leaking.