Patent Application
20210101713
The present disclosure relates to containers or trays formed from a blank of material and, more particularly, to a container that is formed with a breakdown feature that resists operation of the breakdown feature until a user initiates a breakdown operation.
In some applications of containers or trays formed of folded material such as paperboard material, e.g., corrugated paperboard, the container or tray may include end walls and/or side walls formed of two or more layers of material. For example, the container may be structured to increase stacking strength, so as to resist collapse of vertical end and side walls when plural containers are stacked, wherein the end and side walls may be formed integrally with a bottom panel of the container to provide a generally rigid container that is resistant to distortion or collapse in both the vertical and horizontal directions. While the described containers are effective to maintain their shape for protecting a product during use, such as during transport of the container and associated product, it is difficult to collapse such containers following use so as to provide a flattened configuration for plural containers to be compactly stacked for storage and/or disposal.
Various solutions have been proposed for enabling containers to be readily collapsed following use of the container, including forming weakened portions in the bottom panel of the container that can permit the bottom panel to break and enabling the parallelepiped structure formed by the end and side walls to be folded to a flattened configuration. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,852 discloses a container comprising a bottom panel that includes a cut line extending between diagonally opposite corners, wherein opposing edges of the cut line are connected by uncut material defining a pair of holding tabs or webs. Fold lines extend from and bisect the remaining two corners and extend to the cut line. The webs of uncut material can be broken and the bottom panel can be folded about the fold lines to collapse the box. It is believed that the cut line may provide a weakened area of the bottom panel that may permit portions of the bottom panel adjacent to the cut line to flex, such as in response to a force applied transverse to the plane of the bottom panel, that could result in premature breakage of the webs of uncut material during use of the container. Further, preformed weakened areas along the bottom panel of containers can permit the bottom of the container to sag under the weight of the contents of the container. Hence, there is a need for a container configuration that includes one or more release features that can facilitate collapse of the container following use of the container, and that can minimize sag of the container bottom as well as limit operation of the release features without direct manipulation by a user.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a blank comprising corrugated cardboard including a layer defined by elongated flutes for making a collapsible container is provided. The blank comprises a bottom panel having opposing first and second longitudinal edges and opposing first and second lateral edges transverse to the longitudinal edges. One or more panels are hingedly joined to the bottom panel at one or more of the longitudinal and lateral edges. The bottom panel is divided into first and second sectional panels on opposing sides of an interface comprising perforated portions generally aligned with a diagonal between a first pair of diagonally opposing corners of the bottom panel. Each perforated portion includes an inner end, wherein the inner ends of the perforated portions are longitudinally spaced from each other. First and second fold lines extend diagonally at least partially between a second pair of diagonally opposing corners of the bottom panel and respective perforated portions. A frangible central portion of the interface extends between the inner ends of the perforated portions, wherein a plurality of unbroken flutes of the corrugated material extend laterally across the central portion of the interface.
The plurality of unbroken flutes may comprise an area that extends substantially an entire longitudinal length of the central portion of the interface between the inner ends of the perforated portions.
The first and second fold lines may each include opposing ends spaced from the corners of the bottom panel and from the perforated portions by respective sections of unbroken flutes.
The central portion of the interface may extend generally parallel to the first and second lateral edges.
The perforated portions may comprise first and second curved perforated portions.
The first and second curved perforated portions may be concavely curved in opposite directions relative to a diagonal line extending between the first pair of diagonally opposing corners.
The first and second curved perforated portions may include an outer end that terminates spaced from a respective one of the first pair of diagonally opposing corners, and may include a connecting section extending between each of the first pair of diagonally opposing corners and an outer end of a respective curved perforated portion, the connecting sections may have a different tear resistance than the first and second curved perforated portions.
The connecting sections may define perforated sections.
The connecting sections may be substantially straight relative to the respective first and second curved perforated portions.
The central portion of the interface may include at least one release tab.
The at least one release tab may comprise first and second release tabs integrally attached to the first and second sectional panels, respectively, wherein the first release tab may be defined in the second sectional panel and the second release tab may be defined in the first sectional panel.
The frangible central portion of the interface may be defined by a tear strip connected to the at least one release tab and extending longitudinally between the inner ends of the perforated portions, and the plurality of unbroken flutes may extend laterally across the tear strip along a longitudinal length of the tear strip.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a blank for making a collapsible container is provided. The blank comprises a bottom panel having opposing first and second longitudinal edges and opposing first and second lateral edges transverse to the longitudinal edges. One or more panels are hingedly joined to the bottom panel at one or more of the longitudinal and lateral edges. The bottom panel is divided into first and second sectional panels on opposing sides of an interface comprising perforated portions generally aligned with a diagonal between a first pair of diagonally opposing corners of the bottom panel. Each perforated portion includes an inner end, wherein the inner ends of the perforated portions are longitudinally spaced from each other. First and second fold lines extend diagonally at least partially between a second pair of diagonally opposing corners of the bottom panel and respective perforated portions. First and second release tabs are formed integrally with the first and second sectional panels, respectively, wherein the first release tab is defined in the second sectional panel and the second release tab is defined in the first sectional panel.
The first and second release tabs may be located adjacent to each other between the inner ends of the perforated portions, and are located on opposing sides of the interface.
At least a portion of the first and second release tabs may overlap in a longitudinal direction of extension of the interface.
The first release tab may be releasably connected to the second sectional panel at a first perforated portion located distal from the interface, and the second release tab may be releasably connected to the first sectional panel at a second perforated portion located distal from the interface.
The blank may comprise corrugated cardboard including a layer defined by elongated flutes, and may include a plurality of unbroken flutes extending laterally in the first and second release tabs across the interface.
The perforated portions may comprise first and second curved perforated portions that may be concavely curved in opposite directions relative to a diagonal line extending between the first pair of diagonally opposing corners.
The first and second curved perforated portions may include an outer end that terminates spaced from a respective one of the first pair of diagonally opposing corners, and may include a connecting perforated section extending between each of the first pair of diagonally opposing corners and an outer end of a respective curved perforated portion.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a collapsible container formed from a blank comprising corrugated cardboard including a layer defined by elongated flutes is provided. The blank further including a bottom panel having opposing first and second longitudinal edges and opposing first and second lateral edges transverse to the longitudinal edges, and one or more panels hingedly joined to the bottom panel at one or more of the longitudinal and lateral edges. The container comprises opposing end panels extending perpendicular from the longitudinal edges of the bottom panel, and side panels extending perpendicular from the lateral edges of the bottom panel and hingedly joined to the end panels. The bottom panel comprises first and second sectional panels on opposing sides of an interface comprising perforated portions generally aligned with a diagonal between a first pair of diagonally opposing corners of the bottom panel, each perforated portion including an inner end, wherein the inner ends of the perforated portions are longitudinally spaced from each other. First and second fold lines extend diagonally at least partially between a second pair of diagonally opposing corners of the bottom panel and respective perforated portions. A frangible central portion of the interface extends between the inner ends of the perforated portions, wherein a plurality of unbroken flutes of the corrugated material extend laterally across the central portion of the interface.
The plurality of unbroken flutes may comprise an area that extends substantially an entire longitudinal length of the central portion of the interface between the inner ends of the perforated portions.
The first and second fold lines may each include opposing ends spaced from the corners of the bottom panel and from the perforated portions by respective sections of unbroken flutes.
The perforated portions may comprise first and second curved perforated portions that are concavely curved in opposite directions relative to a diagonal line extending between the first pair of diagonally opposing corners.
At least one release tab may be provided displaceable out of the bottom panel to initiate a separation of the first and second sectional panels at the interface, followed by folding the first and second sectional panels about the respective first and second fold lines to collapse the side panels and end panels to a substantially flat configuration.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing Figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:
In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Referring to
The blank 10 may be formed of a corrugated cardboard material having an interior portion or layer defined by elongated flutes, generally designated F in
As seen in
The blank 10 comprises a bottom panel 24 having a generally rectangular shape including opposing longitudinal edges 26, 28, and opposing lateral edges 30, 32. First and second end wall panels 34, 36 are hingedly connected to the respective longitudinal edges 26, 28, and first and second side walls 38, 40 are connected to the respective lateral edges 30, 32. The first side wall 38 comprises an outer side panel 42A hingedly connected to the lateral edge 30 and an inner side panel 44A hingedly connected to the outer side panel 42A. Similarly, the second side wall 40 comprises an outer side panel 46A hingedly connected to the lateral edge 32 and an inner side panel 48A hingedly connected to the outer side panel 46A. Minor outer end flaps 42B, 42C and 46B, 46C are hingedly attached to respective outer side panels 42a and 46A, and minor inner end flaps 44B, 44C and 48B, 48C are hingedly attached to respective inner side panels 44A and 48A.
The bottom panel 24 is formed with features that facilitate reconfiguring an erected tray 8 formed from the blank 10 into a collapsed configuration. As seen in
First and second fold lines 56a, 56b are generally diagonally aligned with a line across the bottom panel 24 between a second pair of diagonally opposing third and fourth corners 543, 544 of the bottom panel 24, and can extend generally diagonally across the bottom panel 24 at least partially between a second pair of diagonally opposing third and fourth corners 543, 544 of the bottom panel 24 and respective perforated portions 52a, 52b. In particular, the first fold line 56a includes an inner end 56a1 that is spaced from the first perforated portion 52a, and includes an outer end 56a2 that is spaced from the third corner 543. Similarly, the second fold line 56b includes an inner end 56b1 that is spaced from the second perforated portion 52b, and includes an outer end 56b2 that is spaced from the fourth corner 544. The first and second fold lines 56a, 56b can be defined by respective score lines formed in the material of the bottom panel 24 and forming non-separable, foldable connections between adjacent portions 24a1, 24a2 and 24b1, 24b2 of the first and second sectional panels 24a, 24b.
It should be noted that areas in the bottom panel 24 defined between the ends of the fold lines 56a, 56b and the respective perforated portions 52a, 52b and corners 543, 544 comprise areas of the bottom panel 24 with unbroken flutes F, i.e., uncrushed and/or uncut flutes, that can facilitate maintaining the strength of the bottom panel 24 to resist sagging during use of the container 8.
Referring further to
A continuous slit 68 extends from a location adjacent to the first inner end 58a to the outer tab edge 66 to define a side of the first release tab 62a. A central portion 68c of the slit 68 may be curved and is connected to a first straight portion 68a and a first tab side 68b at either end of the central portion 68c. The first tab side 68b extends from the central portion 68c to the outer tab edge 66 of the first release tab 62a, generally perpendicular to the first straight portion 68a and generally perpendicular to the central portion 60 of the interface 50. A second tab side 70 is defined by a slit that extends generally parallel to the first tab side 68b from the outer tab edge 66 of the first release tab 62a toward the interface 50.
The second release tab 62b is integrally connected to the second sectional panel 24b and includes an outer tab edge 76 defined by a perforated portion that detachably attaches the second release tab 62b to the first sectional panel 24a. A continuous slit 78 extends from a location adjacent to the second inner end 58b to the outer tab edge 76 to define a side of the second release tab 62b. A central portion 78c of the slit 78 is curved and is connected to a second straight portion 78a and a first tab side 78b at either end of the central portion 78c. The first tab side 78b extends from the central portion 78c to the outer tab edge 76 of the second release tab 62b, generally perpendicular to the second straight portion 78a and generally perpendicular to the central portion 60 of the interface 50.
A second tab side 80 is defined by a slit that extends generally parallel to the first tab side 78b from the outer tab edge 76 of the second release tab 62b toward the interface at a longitudinal location aligned with a portion of the first release tab 62a. Further, the second tab side 70 of the first release tab 62a is longitudinally aligned with a portion of the second release tab 62b. Hence, the first and second release tabs 62a, 62b overlap each other in the longitudinal direction L1, i.e., in the direction of elongation of the central portion 60 of the interface 50. The first and second release tabs 62a, 62b may adjoin each other along a short lateral slit 71 that is laterally aligned along the interface 50. The described slits form the first and second release tabs 62a, 62b as generally T-shaped members.
It may be understood that the release tabs 62a, 62b define a frangible central portion 60 of the interface 50 extending between the inner ends 58a, 58b of the perforated portions 52a, 52b. Further, a plurality of unbroken flutes F of the corrugated material extend laterally across the central portion 60 of the interface 50, wherein the plurality of unbroken flutes F comprises an area that extends substantially an entire longitudinal length of the central portion 60 of the interface 50 between the inner ends 58a, 58b of the perforated portions 52a, 52b, see
Referring to
The second perforated portion 52b comprises a curved, first section 52b1, defining a second curved portion, extending from the second inner end 58b, and a second section 52b2 extending from the first section 52b1 to the second corner 542, wherein the second section 52b2 may have a different configuration from the first section 52b1 and can be substantially straight relative to the first section 52b1. For example, the second section 52b2 can be defined by a straight line, a substantially straight line, or a curve, such as a curve having a direction of concavity opposite from the first section 52b1. In some configurations, the second section 52b2 can comprise a perforated section. The second section 52b2 can bisect or generally bisect the second corner 542 and can include perforations that are larger than the perforations of the first section 52b1 to facilitate separation of the sectional panels 24a, 24b as separation progresses from the first section 52a1 to the second section 52a2.
The first and second curved portions 52a1, 52b1 are concavely curved in opposite directions relative to a diagonal line (not shown) extending between the first pair of diagonally opposing corners, i.e., between the first corner 541 and the second corner 542. In particular, the first and second curved portions 52a1 and 52b1 are concavely curved toward the respective lateral edges 22, 20. The oppositely curved portions 52a1 and 52b1 form an opposite warp to the bottom panel 24, such that the bottom panel 24 tends to bend or warp in opposite directions in the areas adjacent to the curved portions 52a1 and 52b1. It is believed that the opposite direction of warp in the bottom panel 24 can provide additional resistance to bending and resistance to premature separation of the sectional panels 24a, 24b along the interface 50, such as in response to a load or force applied perpendicular to the bottom panel 24. It may be noted that increasing the curvature of the curved portions 52a1 and 52b1 can increase the resistance to warping, i.e., increase an anti-bowing characteristic of the bottom panel 24.
It should be understood that, in some embodiments, the first and second perforated portions 52a, 52b may be formed with other configurations than are described herein. For example, in an alternate embodiment, the first and second perforated portions 52a, 52b may comprise linear perforated portions extending diagonally relative to the first and second corners 541, 542. Further, in an alternative embodiment, the size of the perforations of the curved, first sections 52a1, 52b1 can be the same as the perforations in the second sections 52a2, 52b2. In further alterative embodiments, the second sections 52b1, 52b2 can be provided with particular configurations for controlling the tearing resistance, including forming the second sections 52b1, 52b2 as continuous cut lines, multiple cut lines, i.e., a series of cut lines, a combination cut and perforated lines or a combination of different perforated lines.
Also, the release tabs 62a, 62 may be formed with other shapes than the T-shape described above, such as in an L-shape or other configuration. Additionally, it should be understood that reference to “concavely curved” can alternatively refer to “convexly curved,” e.g., as viewed from the opposite side of the curved, first sections 52a1, 52b1, and the curved, first sections 52a1, 52b1 may be concavely curved in opposite directions from those illustrated in
Referring to
The minor inner end flaps 44B, 44C and 48B, 48C are folded perpendicular to the respective inner side panels 44A and 48A, and can be attached or adhered to inner surfaces of the end wall panels 34, 36. The minor outer end flaps 42B, 42C and 46B, 46C are folded perpendicular to the respective outer side panels 42A, 46A, and can be attached or adhered to outer surfaces of the end wall panels 34, 36. The blank 10 forms a tray 8 having side walls 39, 41 formed of two layers of material and having end walls 35, 37 and including connections with opposing ends of the end wall panels 34, 36 formed of three layers of material, see
As the sectional panels 24a, 24b are separated, the adjacent portions 24a1, 24a2 and 24b1, 24b2 of the first and second sectional panels 24a, 24b can begin to fold toward each other about the respective first and second fold lines 56a, 56b. It may be noted that once the breakdown operation is initiated to collapse the container 8, the unbroken flutes F in the areas adjacent to the fold lines 56a, 56b can bend along the lines defined by the fold lines 56a, 56b. Simultaneously with the folding of the adjacent portions 24a1, 24a2 and 24b1, 24b2, the side walls 39, 41 pivot relative to the end walls 35, 37 to collapse the bottom panel 24, the end walls 35, 37, and the side walls 39, 41 to a flattened or substantially planar configuration, as illustrated in
Referring to
The blank 110 may be formed of a corrugated cardboard material having an interior portion defined by elongated flutes, generally designated F in
As seen in
The blank 110 comprises a bottom panel 124 having a generally rectangular shape including opposing longitudinal edges 126, 128, and opposing lateral edges 130, 132. First and second end wall panels 134, 136 are hingedly connected to the respective longitudinal edges 126, 128, and first and second side walls 138, 140 are connected to the respective lateral edges 130, 132. The first side wall 138 comprises an outer side panel 142A hingedly connected to the lateral edge 130 and an inner side panel 144A hingedly connected to the outer side panel 142A. Similarly, the second side wall 140 comprises an outer side panel 146A hingedly connected to the lateral edge 132 and an inner side panel 148A hingedly connected to the outer side panel 146A. Minor outer end flaps 142B, 142C and 146B, 146C are hingedly attached to respective outer side panels 142a and 146A, and minor inner end flaps 144B, 144C and 148B, 148C are hingedly attached to respective inner side panels 144A and 148A.
The bottom panel 124 is formed with features that facilitate reconfiguring an erected container formed from the blank 110 into a collapsed configuration. As seen in
First and second fold lines 156a, 156b are generally diagonally aligned with a line across the bottom panel 124 between a second pair of diagonally opposing third and fourth corners 1543, 1544 of the bottom panel 124, and can extend at least partially between the second pair of diagonally opposing third and fourth corners 1543, 1544 of the bottom panel 124 and respective perforated portions 152a, 152b. In particular, the first fold line 156a includes an inner end 156a1 that is spaced from the first perforated portion 152a, and includes an outer end 156a2 that is spaced from the third corner 1543. Similarly, the second fold line 156b includes an inner end 156b1 that is spaced from the second perforated portion 152b, and includes an outer end 156b2 that is spaced from the fourth corner 1544. The first and second fold lines 156a, 156b can be defined by respective score lines formed in the material of the bottom panel 124 and forming non-separable, foldable connections between adjacent portions 124a1, 124a2 and 124b1, 124b2 of the first and second sectional panels 124a, 124b.
It should be noted that areas in the bottom panel 124 defined between the ends of the fold lines 156a, 156b and the respective perforated portions 152a, 152b and corners 1543, 1544 comprise areas of the bottom panel 124 with unbroken flutes F, i.e., uncrushed and/or uncut flutes, that can facilitate maintaining the strength of the bottom panel 124 to resist sagging during use of the container 8.
The first and second perforated portions 152a, 152b are configured with features that can increase resistance to separation of the interface 150 between the first and second inner ends 158a, 158b of the perforated portions 152a, 152b and the respective corners 1544, 1543. The first perforated portion 152a comprises a curved, first section 152a1, defining a first curved portion, extending from the first inner end 158a, and a second section 152a2 extending from the first section 152a1 to the first corner 1541, wherein the second section 152a2 may have a different configuration from the first section 152a1 and can be substantially straight relative to the first section 152a1. For example, the second section 152a2 can be defined by a straight line, a substantially straight line, or a curve, such as a curve having a direction of concavity opposite from or in the same direction as first section 152a1. In some configurations, the second section 152a2 can comprise a perforated section. The second section 152a2 can bisect or generally bisect the first corner 1541 and can include perforations that are larger than the perforations of the first section 152a1 to facilitate separation of the sectional panels 124a, 124b as separation progresses from the first section 152a1 to the second section 152a2.
The second perforated portion 152b comprises a curved, first section 152b1, defining a second curved portion, extending from the second inner end 158b, and a second section 152b2 extending from the first section 152b1 to the second corner 1542, wherein the second section 152b2 may have a different configuration from the first section 152b1 can be substantially straight relative to the first section 152b1. For example, the second section 152b2 can be defined by a straight line, a substantially straight line, or a curve, such as a curve having a direction of concavity opposite from or in the same direction as the first section 152b1. In some configurations, the second section 152b2 can comprise a perforated section. The second section 152b2 can bisect or generally bisect the second corner 1542 and can include perforations that are larger than the perforations of the first section 152b1 to facilitate separation of the sectional panels 124a, 124b as separation progresses from the first section 152a1 to the second section 152a2.
The first and second curved portions 152a1, 152b1 are concavely curved in opposite directions relative to a diagonal line (not shown) extending between the first pair of diagonally opposing corners, i.e., between the first corner 1541 and the second corner 1542. In particular, the first and second curved portions 152a1 and 152b1 are concavely curved toward the respective lateral edges 122, 120. The oppositely curved portions 152a1 and 152b1 form an opposite warp to the bottom panel 124, such that the bottom panel 124 tends to bend or warp in opposite directions in the areas adjacent to the curved portions 152a1 and 152b1. It is believed that the opposite direction of warp in the bottom panel 124 can provide additional resistance to bending and resistance to premature separation of the sectional panels 124a, 124b along the interface 150, such as in response to a load or force applied perpendicular to the bottom panel 124. It may be noted that increasing the curvature of the curved portions 152a1 and 152b1 can increase the resistance to warping, i.e., increase an anti-bowing characteristic of the bottom panel 124.
It should be understood that, in some embodiments, the first and second perforated portions 152a, 152b may be formed with other configurations than are described herein. For example, in an alternate embodiment, the first and second perforated portions 152a, 152b may comprise linear perforated portions extending diagonally relative to the first and second corners 1541, 1542. Further, in an alternative embodiment, the perforations of the curved, first sections 152a1, 152b1 can be the same as the perforations in the straight, second sections 152a2, 152b2. In further alterative embodiments, the second sections 152b1, 152b2 can be provided with particular configurations for controlling the tearing resistance, including forming the second sections 152b1, 152b2 as continuous cut lines, multiple cut lines, i.e., a series of cut lines, a combination cut and perforated lines or a combination of different perforated lines.
Additionally, it should be understood that reference to “concavely curved” can alternatively refer to “convexly curved,” e.g., as viewed from the opposite side of the curved, first sections 152a1, 152b1, and the curved, first sections 152a1, 152b1 may be concavely curved in opposite directions from those illustrated in
In accordance with an aspect of the present embodiment, a substantially continuous central portion 160 of the interface 150 extends between the first and second inner ends 158a and 158b, and can provide a continuous material connection between the spaced first and second inner ends 158a, 158b for connecting the first and second sectional portions 124a, 124b. Further, a breakdown feature comprising at least one release tab 162 can be provided at the central portion 160 for facilitating breakdown of a container 108 formed by the blank 110, see
It may be understood that a plurality of unbroken flutes F of the corrugated material extend laterally across the central portion 160 of the interface 150, wherein the plurality of unbroken flutes F comprises an area that extends substantially an entire longitudinal length of the central portion 160 of the interface 150 between the inner ends 158a, 158b of the perforated portions 152a, 152b. The present configuration for the blank 110, comprising a plurality of unbroken flutes F, i.e., uncrushed and uncut flutes, that extend laterally across the interface 150 between the first and second sectional panels 124a, 124b, can facilitate maintaining strength in the bottom panel 124 to resist sagging at the interface 150 as well as resist premature separation of the sectional panels 124a, 124b at the interface 150.
The release tab 162 may be defined by perforations 163a, 163b extending along and defining sides of the release tab 162, and an end slit 163c extending between the perforations 163a, 163b to define an end of the release tab 162. A further slit 165 can extend between the end slit 163c and the first inner end 158a, wherein the slit 165 is formed with a curvature that is concave in the direction of the curvature of the curved, first section 152a1 of the first perforated portion 152a, although it may be understood that other forms and/or shapes of the slit 165 may be provided. Additionally, a terminal slit 159 can extend between the second inner end 158b and an end of the tear strip 161, where an end portion 159a of the terminal slit 159 extends perpendicular to the tear strip 161.
The blank 110 may be folded in a manner similar to that described for the blank 10 to form the container 108, having opposing end walls 135, 137 and opposing side walls 139, 141. Referring to
From the above description, it may be understood that a configuration for a bottom panel of a container is provided, such as is exemplified by the bottom panels 24, 124 of the respective blanks 10, 110, that is substantially resistant to tearing or separation of breakdown features during use of containers 8, 108 formed from the blanks 10, 110. However, upon a predetermined operation on a detachable feature, operable to initiate disengagement of adjacent portions of the bottom panels 24, 124, the respective containers 8, 108 can be readily collapsed to a substantially planar configuration.
Further, the described configuration for the bottom panels 24, 124 provides areas that are defined by unbroken flutes F, such as areas adjacent to and aligned with the fold lines 56a, 56b, 156a, 156b and areas extending across the central portion 60, 160 of the interface 50, 150 that are configured to bend or break, respectively, during breakdown of the container, and which can substantially resist sagging until a breakdown operation is initiated.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
