Extra strength u-board

Abstract

A packaging container with a reinforced bottom and corners is a lamination of a container material alternating with a reinforcing material that is shaped to form a rigid unit of generally U-shaped cross-section having a main body portion with a generally flat bottom wall and upstanding, opposing sidewalls. The bottom and corners are reinforced with the reinforcing material to withstand additional stresses associated with dropping, bumping, scratching or general handling of packaging containers.

1 . An extra strength U-board comprising:
 a plurality of first strips having first widths; and   a plurality of second strips having a second width,   wherein each of the second strips is disposed in an alternating manner between the first strips, and wherein the first width of the first strips is different than the second width of the second strips.   
   
   
       2 . The extra strength U-board of  claim 1  wherein the second width of the second strips is less than the first widths of the first strips. 
   
   
       3 . The extra strength U-board of  claim 1  wherein the first strips are formed from a paper or paper-board material. 
   
   
       4 . The extra strength U-board of  claim 1  wherein the second strips are formed from a paper or paper-board material. 
   
   
       5 . The extra strength U-board of  claim 1  wherein the second strips are comprised of a non-paper or non-paper-board based material. 
   
   
       6 . The extra strength U-board of  claim 1  wherein the second strips are formed from a polymeric material. 
   
   
       7 . The extra strength U-board of  claim 1  wherein the second strips are centered within the first width of the first strips. 
   
   
       8 . The extra strength U-board of  claim 1  wherein the first strips and the second strips are laminated together. 
   
   
       9 . The extra strength U-board of  claim 8  wherein the laminated strips are folded to form a bottom wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. 
   
   
       10 . The extra strength U-board of  claim 1  wherein the second strips are formed from a material having open areas. 
   
   
       11 . The extra strength U-board of  claim 10  wherein the second strips are formed from a mesh-like material. 
   
   
       12 . An extra strength U-board comprising:
 a bottom wall;   a first sidewall; and,   a second sidewall,   wherein the bottom wall is disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and the first sidewall and the second sidewall extend upwardly therefrom to form an integrated unit having a generally U-shaped cross-section,   and wherein the integrated unit is comprised of a plurality of first strips having a first width and a plurality of second strips having a second width, wherein each of the second strips is disposed in an alternating manner between each of the first strips, and wherein the first width of the first strips is different than the second widths of the second strips.   
   
   
       13 . The extra strength U-board of  claim 12  wherein the second strips extend across a width of the bottom wall and at least partially up the first sidewall and the second sidewall. 
   
   
       14 . The extra strength U-board of  claim 12  wherein the unit is folded to form a base channel and a first and a second side channel, wherein the base channel is disposed between the first and second channels, the first and second side channels extending upwardly therefrom. 
   
   
       15 . A method for forming an extra strength U-board, comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of first strips having a first width;   providing a plurality of second strips having a second width;   layering the second strips between the first strips in an alternating manner;   substantially centering the second strips within the first width of the first strips; and   laminating the first strips and the second strips to form a board,   wherein the second width of the second strips is different from the first width of the first strips.   
   
   
       16 . The method of forming an extra strength U-board of  claim 15  further comprising the step of:
 folding the board to form a unit with a generally U-shaped cross-section having a bottom wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall, wherein the bottom wall is disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and the first sidewall and the second sidewall extend upwardly therefrom.   
   
   
       17 . The method of forming an extra-strength U-board of  claim 16  further comprising the step of:
 folding the board with the generally U-shaped cross-section to form a base channel and a first and a second side channel, wherein the base channel is disposed between the first and second channels, the first and second side channels extending upwardly therefrom.