Container reinforcing member

Abstract

A container reinforcing member formed from a blank, comprising: a plurality of spaced-apart, substantially parallel score lines dividing the blank into at least four panels, the at least four panels including a first panel, a second panel, a third panel and a fourth panel, the first panel being foldable over the second panel to define a first leg of the member, the fourth panel being foldable over the third panel to define a second leg of the member; one or more tabs projecting from a side edge of the first panel; one or more slots provided in the third panel, at least one of the slots being positioned to receive one of the one or more tabs when the first panel is folded over the second panel; and, one or more notches provided in a side edge of the fourth panel, at least one of said notches being positioned to receive one of the one more tabs when the first leg is folded relative to the second leg.

1 . A container reinforcing member formed from a blank, comprising: 
 a plurality of spaced-apart, substantially parallel score lines dividing said blank into at least four panels, said at least four panels including a first panel, a second panel, a third panel and a fourth panel, said first panel being foldable over said second panel to define a first leg of said member, said fourth panel being foldable over said third panel to define a second leg of said member;    one or more tabs projecting from a side edge of said first panel;    one or more slots provided in said third panel, at least one of said slots being positioned to receive one of said one or more tabs when said first panel is folded over said second panel; and,    one or more notches provided in a side edge of said fourth panel, at least one of said notches being positioned to receive one of said one more tabs when said first leg is folded relative to said second leg.    
   
   
       2 . The container reinforcing member of  claim 1 , wherein said first leg is substantially perpendicular to said second leg when said first leg is folded relative to said second leg.  
   
   
       3 . The container reinforcing member of  claim 1 , further comprising a first flange projecting from one end of said second panel, said first flange being foldable relative to said second panel.  
   
   
       4 . The container reinforcing member of  claim 3 , further comprising a second flange projecting from one end of said third panel, said second flange being foldable relative to said third panel, wherein said first and second flanges are adapted to be in abutting relationship with one another when folded relative to the second and third panels, respectively.  
   
   
       5 . The container reinforcing member of  claim 3 , further comprising a first top flange projecting from another end of said second panel, said first top flange being foldable relative to said second panel.  
   
   
       6 . The container reinforcing member of  claim 5 , further comprising a second top flange projecting from another end of said third panel, said second top flange being foldable relative to said third panel, wherein said first and second top flanges are adapted to be in abutting relationship with one another when folded relative to the second and third panels, respectively.  
   
   
       7 . The container reinforcing member of  claim 1 , wherein said container reinforcing member is constructed from a material selected from the group comprising: corrugated paperboard, substantially solid fiberboard, solid fiberboard, and paper.  
   
   
       8 . A container for containing a product, comprising: 
 a base for supporting said product; and,    one or more reinforcing members supported by said base and positioned thereon to surround said product, at least one of said reinforcing members comprising a first leg and a second leg disposed perpendicularly to said first leg, said first leg including a first panel folded over a second panel, said second leg including a third panel folded over a fourth panel, said first panel having one or more tabs projecting therefrom for engaging one or more slots provided in said third panel.    
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said first and second legs includes one or more flanges projecting therefrom for fastening said reinforcing member to said base.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one beam connecting one of said one or more reinforcing members to another of said reinforcing members.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one beam is formed from a blank comprising: 
 a first panel having at least one flange projecting from one end thereof; and,    a second panel foldable relative to said first panel, said second panel having at least one flange projecting from one end thereof; wherein, said flange of said first panel abuts said flange of said second panel when said second panel is folded relative to said first panel.    
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 8 , further comprising a side wall surrounding said one or more reinforcing members.  
   
   
       13 . A container reinforcing member formed from a blank, comprising: 
 a plurality of spaced-apart, substantially parallel score lines dividing said blank into at least seven panels, said at least seven panels including a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, a fourth panel, a fifth panel, a sixth panel and a seventh panel, said first and second panels being foldable over said third and fourth panels, said sixth and seventh panels being foldable over said fourth and fifth panels, wherein said seventh panel is positionable between said first and fourth panels;    one or more tabs projecting from a side edge of said first panel;    one or more slots provided in said fifth panel;    one or more slots provided in said sixth panel, said one or more slots of said sixth panel being in alignment with said one or more slots of said fifth panel when said sixth and seventh panels are folded over said fourth and fifth panels, said one or more tabs of said first panel being extendable through said one or more slots of said sixth panel and through said one or more slots of said fifth panel when said first and second panels are folded over said third and fourth panels.    
   
   
       14 . The container reinforcing member of  claim 13 , wherein said first panel forms an obtuse angle with said second panel when said first and second panels are folded over said third and fourth panels, and wherein said sixth panel forms an obtuse angle with said seventh panel when said sixth and seventh panels are folded over said fourth and fifth panels.