Bulk container with improved reinforcement

Abstract

A bulk container comprising a plurality of wall panels and a bottom surface and a method of forming the same. The bulk container comprises at least one strip of material extending around an outer perimeter of the bulk container, in which the at least one strip of material comprises a first end and a second end, a portion of the second end overlapping and being adhered to a portion of the first end with an adhesive.

1 . A reinforced bulk container comprising:
 a plurality of wall panels defining a height of the reinforced bulk container;   a bottom surface; and   a plurality of strips of material extending around an outer perimeter of the reinforced bulk container, wherein each strip of material comprises a first end and a second end, a portion of the second end overlapping and being adhered to a portion of the first end with an adhesive, the plurality of strip of material comprising:
 a first strip adjacent to the bottom surface and extending vertically along a first portion of the height of the reinforced bulk container; and 
 a second strip extending vertically along a second portion of the height of the reinforced bulk container, the second strip being spaced apart from the first strip. 
   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The reinforced bulk container of  claim 1 , wherein the first strip extends vertically along about 25% of the height of the reinforced bulk container. 
     
     
         4 . The reinforced bulk container of  claim 1 , wherein an outer edge of the second strip extends vertically to upper edges of the plurality of wall panels. 
     
     
         5 . The reinforced bulk container of  claim 1 , wherein the first strip extends across at least a portion of the bottom surface. 
     
     
         6 . The reinforced bulk container of  claim 5 , wherein the first strip extends across about 25% to about 90% of a surface area of the bottom surface. 
     
     
         7 . The reinforced bulk container of  claim 1 , wherein one or more areas of at least one of the first strip or the second strip are adhered to an outer surface of the reinforced bulk container with an adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The reinforced bulk container of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one strip of material extending around an inner perimeter of the reinforced bulk container and being adhered in one or more areas to an inner surface of the reinforced bulk container with an adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . The reinforced bulk container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first strip or the second strip is between 12 inches and 40 inches wide. 
     
     
         11 . A method of forming a reinforced bulk container from a flat blank comprising a plurality of wall panels foldably connected along first fold lines and a plurality of bottom flaps connected to one end of the plurality of wall panels along second fold lines, the method comprising:
 providing a partially-assembled blank in which lateral ends of the flat blank are joined;   providing a plurality of strips of material each comprising a first end and a second end;   applying a first strip to an outer surface of the partially-assembled blank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first fold lines, wherein the first strip extends around an outer perimeter of the partially-assembled blank adjacent to the bottom flaps and wherein the second end of the first strip overlaps a portion of the first end of the first strip, the first strip extending in a longitudinal direction along a first portion of a longitudinal length of the plurality of wall panels;   adhering the second end of the first strip to the portion of the first end of the first strip with an adhesives;   applying a second strip to the outer surface of the partially-assembled blank in the direction substantially perpendicular to the first fold lines, wherein the second strip extends around the outer perimeter of the partially-assembled blank and wherein the second end of the second strip overlaps a portion of the first end of the second strip, the second strip extending in the longitudinal direction along a second portion of the longitudinal length of the plurality of wall panels and being spaced apart from the first strip; and   adhering, with the adhesive, the second end of the second strip to the portion of the first end of the second strip.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first strip extends in the longitudinal direction along about 25% of the longitudinal length of the plurality of wall panels. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein an outer edge of the second strip extends in the longitudinal direction to upper edges of the plurality of wall panels. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first strip extends in the longitudinal direction along at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the plurality of bottom flaps. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first strip extends across at least 25% of the longitudinal length of the plurality of bottom flaps. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 adhering one or more areas of at least one of the first strip or the second strip to the outer surface of the partially-assembled blank with an adhesive.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first strip or the second strip is between 12 inches and 40 inches wide. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the partially-assembled blank further comprises at least one additional strip of material extending around an inner perimeter of the partially-assembled blank in the direction substantially perpendicular to the first fold lines, wherein one or more areas of the at least one additional strip are adhered to an inner surface of the partially-assembled blank with an adhesive.