Load resistant product display container for storage, transport, and merchandising

Abstract

A product display container having a plurality of panels operatively connected to define an internal space operable to receive one or more packable product items therein and a plurality of corners in the internal space, and a plurality of reinforcement structures positioned in the internal space at the corners to provide resistance of the product display container to internal and/or external loads.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A product display container, comprising:
 a single, unitary blank of material that includes:
 a plurality of panels operatively connected to define an internal space to receive one or more packable product items therein, the panels including a top panel, a bottom panel spatially opposed to the top pane, a front panel operatively connected to the top panel and to the bottom panel, a back panel spatially opposed to the front panel and operatively connected to the top panel and the bottom panel, a left panel operatively connected to the top panel and the bottom panel, and a right panel that is spatially opposed to the left panel and operatively connected to the top panel and the bottom panel; 
 a plurality of corners formed in the internal space, including a first corner defined by the connection of the top panel, the bottom panel, the front panel, and the left panel, a second corner defined by the connection of the top panel, the bottom panel, the front panel, and the right panel, a third corner defined by the connection of the top panel, the bottom panel, the back panel, and the left panel, and a fourth corner defined by the connection of the top panel, the bottom panel, the back panel, and the right panel; 
 a first reinforcement structure positioned in the internal space at the first corner to facilitate resistance to internal and/or external loads; and 
 a second reinforcement structure positioned in the internal space at the second corner to provide resistance of the product display container to internal and/or external loads. 
   
     
     
         2 . The product display container of  claim 1 , wherein the single, unitary blank of material further comprises a removable panel formed at the top panel and the front panel, the removable panel being moveable from an unopened state to an opened state which exposes the internal space and facilitates removal of one or more packable product items by a user. 
     
     
         3 . The product display container of  claim 2 , wherein the removable panel is formed by a plurality of perforations in the top panel and the front panel that define a continuous link of weakness by which a portion of the front panel and a portion of the top panel may be excised from the product display container. 
     
     
         4 . The product display container of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of perforations form a perforated edge in the front panel that is manipulable by a user to place the removable panel in the opened state. 
     
     
         5 . The product display container of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first reinforcement structure creates a first zone of strengthening at the first corner which facilitates the resistance to internal and/or external loads; and   the second reinforcement structure creates a second zone of strengthening at the second corner which facilitates the resistance to internal and/or external loads.   
     
     
         6 . The product display container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third reinforcement structure positioned in the internal space at the third corner formed by the plurality of panels; and   a fourth reinforcement structure positioned in the internal space at the fourth corner formed by the plurality of panels.   
     
     
         7 . The product display container of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the third reinforcement structure creates a third zone of strengthening at the third corner which facilitates the resistance to internal and/or external loads; and   the fourth reinforcement structure creates a fourth zone of strengthening at the second corner which facilitates the resistance to internal and/or external loads.   
     
     
         8 . A product display container, comprising:
 a single, unitary blank of material that includes:
 a plurality of panels operatively connected to define an internal space operable to receive one or more packable product items therein and a plurality of corners in the internal space; and 
 a plurality of reinforcement structures positioned in the internal space at the corners to provide resistance of the product display container to internal and/or external loads. 
   
     
     
         9 . The product display container of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of reinforcement structures comprises:
 a first reinforcement structure positioned in the internal space at a first corner formed by the plurality of panels;   a second reinforcement structure positioned in the internal space at a second corner formed by the plurality of panels;   a third reinforcement structure positioned in the internal space at a third corner formed by the plurality of panels; and   a fourth reinforcement structure positioned in the internal space at a fourth corner formed by the plurality of panels.   
     
     
         10 . The product display container of  claim 8 , wherein the single, unitary blank of material further comprises a removable panel formed at a top panel and a front panel of the plurality of panels, the removable panel being moveable from an unopened state to an opened state which exposes the internal space and facilitates removal of one or more packable product items by a user. 
     
     
         11 . The product display container of  claim 10 , wherein the removable panel is formed by a plurality of perforations in the top panel and the front panel that define a continuous link of weakness by which a portion of the front panel and a portion of the top panel may be excised from the product display container. 
     
     
         12 . The product display container of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of perforations form a perforated edge in the front panel that is manipulable by a user to place the removable panel in the opened state. 
     
     
         13 . The product display container of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first reinforcement structure creates a first zone of strengthening at the first corner which facilitates the resistance to internal and/or external loads; and   the second reinforcement structure creates a second zone of strengthening at the second corner which facilitates the resistance to internal and/or external loads.   
     
     
         14 . The product display container of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the third reinforcement structure creates a third zone of strengthening at the third corner which facilitates the resistance to internal and/or external loads; and   the fourth reinforcement structure creates a fourth zone of strengthening at the second corner which facilitates the resistance to internal and/or external loads.   
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a product display container, the method comprising:
 forming, from a single, unitary blank of material, a plurality of panels operatively connected to define an internal space operable to receive one or more packable product items therein and a plurality of corners in the internal space;   positioning a plurality of reinforcement structures in the internal space at the corners to provide resistance of the product display container to internal and/or external loads.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising at least partially filling the internal space with packable product items. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein positioning the plurality of reinforcement structures in the internal space comprises positioning one or more of:
 a first reinforcement structure in the internal space at a first corner formed by the plurality of panels;   a second reinforcement structure in the internal space at a second corner formed by the plurality of panels;   a third reinforcement structure in the internal space at a third corner formed by the plurality of panels; and   a fourth reinforcement structure in the internal space at a fourth corner formed by the plurality of panels.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 forming a removable panel at a top panel and a front panel of the plurality of panels, the removable panel being moveable from an unopened state to an opened state which exposes the internal space and facilitates removal of one or more packable product items by a user.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein forming the removable panel comprises forming a plurality of perforations in the top panel and the front panel that define a continuous link of weakness by which a portion of the front panel and a portion of the top panel may be excised from the product display container. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising at least partially filling the internal space with packable product items.