Self-locking stackable tapered container with partial top stucture
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A container formed from a blank, the container comprising:
- a base panel, wherein the base panel further comprises at least one stacking slot cut into the base panel, the at least one stacking slot positioned to accept the at least one doubled stacking tab extending from an angled side wall of a sub-adjacent container and the at least one stacking slot is positioned adjacent to at least one of the side walls;
two opposing end walls connected to the base panel at substantially a 90°
angle;
two opposing side walls connected to the base panel at an angle less than 90°
, the side walls having a width equal or greater than the width of upper edges of the end walls, each side wall having a side flap connected to opposing sides of the side wall, each side flap having a lock recess along a top edge thereof, wherein at least one of the side walls has a first thickness and further comprises a crushed area, the crushed area having a second thickness, the second thickness being less than the first thickness, wherein a bottom of the crushed area is adjacent to the at least one stacking slot;
locking flaps connected to the end walls by at least one pair of lock hinge assemblies, wherein each locking flap folds inwardly to sandwich at least one side flap adjacent thereto between the locking flap and an end wall adjacent thereto and further, wherein each locking hinge assembly locks into the lock recess of the adjacent side flap; and
a reinforcement flap connected to at least one of the side walls by at least one doubled stacking tab, wherein the reinforcement flap lies flush against an inner surface of the side wall to which the reinforcement flap is connected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A stackable container for carrying produce. The container has tapered side walls or end walls to aid in the stacking of like containers. Also, the container has locking flaps that allow the container to be erected manually and without the need for fasteners. Further, at least one tapered wall of the container has a reinforcement flap that creates a partial top structure in the upper part of the container that helps prevent bulging of the walls. The reinforcement flap also creates doubled stacking tabs and diagonal corner posts that aid in the stacking of like containers.
57 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A container formed from a blank, the container comprising:
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a base panel, wherein the base panel further comprises at least one stacking slot cut into the base panel, the at least one stacking slot positioned to accept the at least one doubled stacking tab extending from an angled side wall of a sub-adjacent container and the at least one stacking slot is positioned adjacent to at least one of the side walls; two opposing end walls connected to the base panel at substantially a 90°
angle;two opposing side walls connected to the base panel at an angle less than 90°
, the side walls having a width equal or greater than the width of upper edges of the end walls, each side wall having a side flap connected to opposing sides of the side wall, each side flap having a lock recess along a top edge thereof, wherein at least one of the side walls has a first thickness and further comprises a crushed area, the crushed area having a second thickness, the second thickness being less than the first thickness, wherein a bottom of the crushed area is adjacent to the at least one stacking slot;locking flaps connected to the end walls by at least one pair of lock hinge assemblies, wherein each locking flap folds inwardly to sandwich at least one side flap adjacent thereto between the locking flap and an end wall adjacent thereto and further, wherein each locking hinge assembly locks into the lock recess of the adjacent side flap; and a reinforcement flap connected to at least one of the side walls by at least one doubled stacking tab, wherein the reinforcement flap lies flush against an inner surface of the side wall to which the reinforcement flap is connected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A container formed from a blank, the container comprising:
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a base panel; two opposing end walls connected to the base panel at substantially a 90°
angle;two opposing side walls connected to the base panel at an angle less than 90°
, the side walls having a width equal or greater than the width of upper edges of the end walls, each side wall having a side flap connected to opposing sides of the side wall, each side flap having a lock recess along a top edge thereof,locking flaps connected to the end walls by at least one pair of lock hinge assemblies, wherein each locking flap folds inwardly to sandwich at least one side flap adjacent thereto between the locking flap and an end wall adjacent thereto and further, wherein each locking hinge assembly locks into the lock recess of the adjacent side flap; a reinforcement flap connected to at least one of the side walls by at least one doubled stacking tab, wherein the reinforcement flap lies flush against an inner surface of the side wall to which the reinforcement flap is connected and the reinforcement flap further has at least one corner flap attached to opposing edges thereof; at least one corner flap extends diagonally towards at least one of the locking flaps; at least one of the locking flaps has at least one lock slot disposed along an outer edge thereof; at least one lock tab projects from a side edge of the at least one corner flap; and
the at least one lock tab extends into the at least one lock slot. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A container formed from a blank, the container comprising:
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a base panel comprising at least one stacking slot cut into the base panel; two opposing end walls connected to the base panel; two opposing side walls connected to the base panel, the side walls having a width equal or greater than the width of upper edges of the end walls, each side wall having a side flap connected to opposing sides of the side wall, each side flap having a lock recess along a top edge thereof, wherein at least one of the side walls has a first thickness and further comprises a crushed area, the crushed area having a second thickness, the second thickness being less than the first thickness, wherein a bottom of the crushed area is adjacent to the at least one stacking slot; locking flaps connected to the end walls by at least one pair of lock hinge assemblies, wherein each locking flap folds inwardly to sandwich at least one side flap adjacent thereto between the locking flap and an end wall adjacent thereto and further, wherein each locking hinge assembly locks into the lock recess of the adjacent side flap; and a reinforcement flap connected to at least one of the side walls by at least one doubled stacking tab, wherein the reinforcement flap lies against an inner surface of the side wall to which the reinforcement flap is connected. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A container formed from a blank, the container comprising:
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a base panel; two opposing end walls connected to the base panel; two opposing side walls connected to the base panel, the side walls having a width equal or greater than the width of upper edges of the end walls, each side wall having a side flap connected to opposing sides of the side wall, each side flap having a lock recess along a top edge thereof, locking flaps connected to the end walls by at least one pair of lock hinge assemblies, wherein each locking flap folds inwardly to sandwich at least one side flap adjacent thereto between the locking flap and an end wall adjacent thereto and further, wherein each locking hinge assembly locks into the lock recess of the adjacent side flap; a reinforcement flap connected to at least one of the side walls by at least one doubled stacking tab, wherein the reinforcement flap lies against an inner surface of the side wall to which the reinforcement flap is connected and the reinforcement flap further has at least one corner flap attached to opposing edges thereof; at least one of the locking flaps has at least one lock slot disposed along an outer edge thereof; at least one lock tab projects from a side edge of the at least one corner flap; and the at least one lock tab extends into the at least one lock slot. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification