US20030146126A1 - Stackable container having support flanges - Google Patents

Abstract

Containers are disclosed having a plurality of interconnected panels forming sidewalls surrounding a central space. Flaps extend from lower sidewall edges and fold along fold lines to form a bottom. Support flanges are arranged along upper sidewall edges on oppositely facing sidewalls. The support flanges are oriented at right angles to the sidewalls and provide a support surface allowing the containers to be stacked one atop another without collapsing or nesting within each other. Side flanges are attached to each end of the support flanges and to sidewalls joined to the sidewalls having the support flanges. The side flanges each have an angularly oriented fold line which divides the side flanges into facing portions and permits them to fold like a bellows or accordion pleat. The facing portions are adhered together to hold the support flanges in position.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION
• This application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/354,099, filed Feb. 4, 2002.[0001]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The invention relates to containers used for packaging, shipping and displaying goods. More particularly, the invention relates to display containers such as corrugated paperboard boxes having flanges to facilitate the stacking of such containers on top of one another.[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Display containers, for example, boxes of corrugated paperboard, are widely used for shipping and marketing products. Such containers are especially popular in warehouse-type marketing settings and supermarkets where many containers are stacked on top of one another and have open tops and partially open sides to display the food or merchandise held within them. Examples include containers of packaged candy which may be decorated for display purposes. The containers of candy are shipped to the store in stacked form. Store personnel remove the tops of the containers and, in many cases, fold down or remove a side display panel from the container which exposes the candy within the container to view and allows access thereto by the consumer. The containers are then stacked one on top of another on the retail floor for display of the candy to the consumer.[0003]
• A major problem with stacked containers having open tops and sides is that a container may partially fall into or “nest” within the container beneath it. Another problem is the lack of strength for stacking. All too often loaded containers near or at the bottom of a stack collapse or become misshapen under the weight of the containers above them. This impairs the aesthetic appearance of the display sought by the seller, ruins the products within, and requires clean up.[0004]
• One known container, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,555, and which is hereby incorporated by reference, provides a shelf like flap to help support a container stacked on top and prevent nesting. This container is configured to automatically pull the shelf into position upon the assembly of the container. One end of the shelf is connected to a side wall of the container to pull the shelf down, the other end being free and typically resting on the top of one of the side walls. While this container provides advantages over other type containers, further improvements are believed desirable. For example, many products, such as candy, are drop loaded into the containers. If the shelf is already in place, this can interfere with the loading process. Furthermore, it has been found that in some uses the free end of the shelf can be forced into the container, creating a nesting problem.[0005]
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
• The invention concerns a container upon which another container having similar dimensions may be stacked without nesting in the container. The container comprises a plurality of panels attached to one another along adjacent edges to form a plurality of sidewalls surrounding a central space. A plurality of flaps extend from the sidewalls inwardly toward the central space, the flaps being positioned substantially co-planarly in one of overlapping and adjacent positions relative to one another to form a bottom. A first flange is attached to a first of the sidewalls along an edge thereof positioned opposite to the bottom. A second flange is attached to a second of the sidewalls along an edge thereof positioned opposite to the bottom, the second sidewall being attached to the first sidewall, the second flange being attached to the first flange along a common edge. The first flange is oriented substantially parallel to the bottom and extends inwardly toward the central space for supporting the other container when stacked thereon. The second flange is folded along a fold line oriented at an angle to the common edge, the second flange being thereby divided into overlying flange portions. Each of the overlying flange portions has an outer face, the outer faces being attached to one another in face to face relationship, thereby holding the first flange in position substantially parallel to the bottom. Attachment of the faces is preferably by adhesive.[0006]
• The invention also concerns support surfaces useable on containers to permit stacking of the containers one atop another without nesting. The containers comprise a plurality of interconnected panels forming sidewalls surrounding a central space. The sidewalls have flaps extending therefrom which are foldable to form a bottom. First and second support flanges are respectively attached to first and second sidewalls which face one another in opposing relationship. The support flanges extend lengthwise along edges of the sidewalls in spaced relation to the bottom. The support flanges are each oriented at a substantially right angle to the first and second sidewalls and project inwardly toward the central space. Side flanges are attached to each end of the first and second flanges. Each side flange is also attached to a respective sidewall adjacent to one of the first and second sidewalls. The side flanges are folded along respective fold lines extending diagonally across each side flange, the fold lines dividing each of the side flanges into overlying flange portions facing one other and extending inwardly toward the central space, the overlying flange portions being adhered together, preferably by adhesive.[0007]
• Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a display-ready container with improved anti-nesting capabilities.[0008]
• Another object is to provide a container with anti-nesting capabilities that can be assembled by machine.[0009]
• Another object is to provide a display-ready container that is economical to produce.[0010]
• A further object of the present invention is to provide a display-ready container that is easy to assemble and use.[0011]
• Another object is to provide a display-ready container that can be safely stacked during shipping and display.[0012]
• Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned from making and using the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the combinations pointed out in the appended claims.[0013]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention stacked atop similar containers;[0014]
• FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank from which the container shown in FIG. 1 is formed;[0015]
• FIGS. 3A through 3C are perspective views of a container being formed from a knockdown shown in[0016]3A;
• FIG. 4 is an alternate embodiment of a container according to the invention;[0017]
• FIG. 5 is a blank from which the container in FIG. 4 is formed; and[0018]
• FIG. 6 is a knockdown formed from the blank shown in FIG. 5 and transformable into the container shown in FIG. 4.[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• FIG. 1 shows a[0020]container10 according to the invention.Container10 is preferably formed of a stiff, lightweight substrate such as corrugated paperboard and comprises a plurality ofpanels12 attached to one another alongadjacent edges14 to form a plurality ofsidewalls16,18,20 and22. The sidewalls define and surround acentral space24 where merchandise is received for storage, transport and display.Container10 is depicted in a stack of similar containers10band10c(shown in phantom line) and without a top as it might be seen in a display on a market floor.Sidewall18 is a partial panel and has a reinforcing fold-downportion26, thepartial panel18 providing anopening28 in thecontainer10 allowing display and access to the goods therein even when the containers are stacked one atop another as shown.
• [0021]Flaps30,32,34 and36 extend respectively from the lower edge of eachsidewall16,18,20 and22 and are folded inwardly toward thecentral space24 along respective fold lines (identified in detail below) to form abottom38. Upon folding, theflaps30,32,34 and36 are positioned substantially co-planarly in overlapping and adjacent positions relatively to one another. There are several possible folding combinations used to form bottoms of containers, such as the 1-2-3-4 bottom or the “crash” bottom, all of which are known to those of skill in the art.
• Generally the sidewalls, flaps, fold down portions and other parts comprising the[0022]container10 are joined together at adjacent edges defined by fold lines formed in the substrate comprising the container. For containers made of corrugated paperboard, the fold lines may be formed in any of a number of ways, such as by cutting, creasing or perforating the paperboard as is known in the art. For economy of reference herein, when an edge of a part of the container is defined by a fold line, both the fold line and the edge are denoted by the same reference character. This does not imply, however, that all edges are necessarily fold lines or that all parts of the container need be joined at fold lines in the substrate.
• [0023]Containers10 according to the invention havesupport flanges40 and42 which form flat support surfaces44 across the tops of the containers upon which other containers sit when the containers are stacked as illustrated in FIG. 1. The support flanges40 and42 prevent nesting of the containers within one another when stacked and also strengthen the container sidewalls against collapse. Preferably, thesupport flanges40 and42 extend across the entire width or length of the container and are respectively positioned on opposing sidewalls such as16 and20. Eachsupport flange40 and42 is preferably integrally formed with itsrespective sidewall16 and20 and extends from arespective edge74 and92 located on each sidewall opposite to the bottom38 of the container. Theedges74 and92 are defined by respective fold lines in the container substrate which preferably havelengthwise perforations46 along at least a portion of the span of the support flange. The perforations provide increased flexibility for folding the support flange without significantly compromising the strength of the flange attachment to its respective sidewall. Further details related to the construction of thesupport flanges40 and42 are provided below.
• [0024]Container10 is preferably formed from a unitary substrate blank48, shown in FIG. 2. The substrate blank48 is preferably die-cut from a sheet of corrugated paperboard during which the fold lines defining the panel edges are formed, by creasing, perforating and cutting operations as described above.Sidewalls16,18,20 and22 are shown as they would appear after the blank48 is cut from the paperboard sheet. The surfaces visible in FIG. 2 comprise the outwardly facing surfaces of thecontainer10 in FIG. 1.
• Beginning at the rightmost side of blank[0025]48, there is a portion ofsidewall22, denoted22a, which is later attached to acounterpart portion22b(described below) to form thesidewall22. A portion offlap36, denoted36a, extends from a lower edge of the sidewall portion22a, that edge being defined by afold line50. Sidewall portion22ais joined to sidewall16 at an edge defined by afold line52.Flap30 extends from a lower edge ofsidewall16, that edge being defined byfold line54.Sidewall16 is joined to sidewall18 along an edge defined by afold line56.Flap32 extends from a lower edge ofsidewall18, that edge being defined by afold line58.Sidewall18 has a large cut-out region defining the display opening28 in the sidewall for access to the container's central space once assembled.Sidewall18 also has a fold downportion26, shown before folding, which reinforces the sidewall. When the blank48 is formed, fold downportion26 is defined by twoparallel cuts60 and62 respectively positioned at either end of the fold down portion, and afold line64 which extends lengthwise along the fold down portion between the cuts.Cuts60 and62 extend through the entire thickness of the substrate blank48 to free the ends of the fold downportion26 from thesidewall18 and allow it to be reverse folded inwardly to reinforce thesidewall18.
• [0026]Sidewall18 is joined to sidewall20 along an edge defined by afold line66.Flap34 extends from a lower edge ofsidewall20, that edge being defined by afold line68.Sidewall20 is joined tosidewall portion22balong an edge defined by afold line70.Sidewall portion22bis the counterpart to sidewall portion22a, and when joined together, thesidewall portions22aand22bform sidewall22. A portion offlap36, denoted36b, extends from a lower edge of thesidewall portion22b, that edge being defined by afold line72. Joining ofsidewalls22aand22balso effect the joining of flaps36aand36bwhich formbottom flap36.
• [0027]Support flange40 extends from an upper edge ofsidewall16, that edge being defined by afold line74.Support flange40 preferably runs along the entire length ofsidewall16, and each end of the support flange is attached to arespective side flange76 and78.Side flange76 extends from an upper edge of sidewall portion22a, that edge being defined by afold line80. Another fold line,82, defines the edge betweensupport flange40 and theside flange76. Yet another fold line,84, extends across theside flange76 at an angle to the edge defined byfold line82. Similarly,side flange78 extends from an upper edge ofsidewall18, that edge being defined by afold line86. Another fold line,88, defines the edge betweensupport flange40 and theside flange78. Yet another fold line,90, extends across theside flange78 at an angle to the edge defined byfold line88.
• Similarly,[0028]support flange42 extends from an upper edge ofsidewall20, that edge being defined by afold line92.Support flange42 preferably runs along the entire length ofsidewall20, and each end of the support flange is attached to arespective side flange94 and96.Side flange94 extends from an upper edge ofsidewall portion22b, that edge being defined by afold line98. Another fold line,100, defines the edge betweensupport flange42 and theside flange94. Yet another fold line,102, extends across theside flange94 at an angle to the edge defined byfold line100. Similarly,side flange96 extends from an upper edge ofsidewall18, that edge being defined by afold line104. Another fold line,106, defines the edge betweensupport flange42 and theside flange96. Yet another fold line,108, extends across theside flange96 at an angle to the edge defined byfold line106.
• Preferably, the[0029]side flanges76,78,94 and96 are square in shape and the fold lines84,90,102 and108 extend diagonally across their respective side flanges. The reasons for these preferences are explained below.
• Blank[0030]48 is next formed into a knockdown110 shown in FIG. 3A. The knockdown is advantageous because it allows containers such ascontainer10 to be shipped from the manufacturer in a flat configuration, saving space and reducing shipping costs. The knockdown is configured to be conveniently converted from the flat configuration into thecontainer10 as depicted in FIG. 1 through a series of simple steps (described below) performed by automated machinery. Once the container is formed from the knockdown, it is then loaded with merchandise, final actions are executed, and the container with its contents is ready for shipment.
• [0031]Knockdown110 is formed by first reverse folding fold downportion26 alongfold line64 and into overlying relation with the inwardly facing surface ofsidewall18. Next blank48 is reverse folded alongfold lines66 and52 to bringsidewall portion22binto partial overlying relation with counterpart sidewall portion22a. The twosidewall portions22aand22bare bonded together, preferably with an adhesive112 (see FIG. 1) to formsidewall22, and the knockdown110 shown in FIG. 3A.
• [0032]Knockdown110 comprises a firstknockdown wall114 formed ofsidewalls18 and16 along with theirrespective flaps32 and30 as well asflanges96,78 and40 all aligned in a same first plane when the knockdown is in its flat configuration.Edges66 and52 form the first and second knockdown corners which define the ends of the firstknockdown wall114. A secondknockdown wall116 is formed ofsidewalls20 and22, theirrespective flaps34 and36, andflanges42,94 and76 all in a same second plane which is parallel to the first plane. The secondknockdown wall116 is joined to the firstknockdown wall114 at the first and second knockdown corners defined byedges66 and52.
• FIGS. 3A through 3C show a series of steps performed to transform the knockdown[0033]110 into thecontainer10. In the first step, shown in FIG. 3A, the first and secondknockdown walls114 and116 are separated from one another with thesidewalls16,18,20 and22 pivoting relatively to one another in the manner of a four bar linkage aboutfold lines52,56,66 and70. As the sidewalls comprising the respectiveknockdown walls114 and116 move outwardly they are no longer substantially in the same plane and the knockdown110 transforms into the configuration shown in FIG. 3B wherein adjacent sidewalls are oriented at right angles to one another.
• Once the[0034]sidewalls16,18,20 and22 are moved into the right angled configuration, theflaps30,32,34 and36 are folded inwardly alongrespective fold lines54,58,68,72 and50 to form the bottom38. In the example shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, flaps30 and34 are first folded inwardly followed byflaps32 and36, the latter two flaps being preferably adhesively bonded to the first two to form a permanent bottom. Other bottom configurations are of course feasible, as known in the art. Typically, an auxiliary panel (not shown) will be installed within thecentral space24 in overlying relation withsidewall18 to close off theopening28. The auxiliary panel is removed at the point of sale to display the container contents in the stacked configuration as shown in FIG. 1.
• With[0035]sidewalls16,18,20 and22 in right-angle relation, an auxiliary panel in place, and bottom38 formed, thecontainer10 is now ready to be loaded with merchandise. It is advantageous to perform the loading step before thesupport flanges40 and42 are folded into the final configuration shown in FIG. 1. This allows for a maximum sized opening in the container for receiving the contents.
• In the next step, shown in FIG. 3C, the[0036]support flanges40 and42 are folded inwardly aboutrespective fold lines74 and92 toward thecentral space24 to provide the support surfaces44 which strengthen the sidewalls and support a container stacked on top of thecontainer10 without allowing nesting of the containers. Note that theside flange78 is attached to bothsupport flange40 andsidewall18,side flange76 is attached to bothsupport flange40 andsidewall22, and theside flanges78 and76 are at right angles to supportflange40. This configuration will generally prevent folding ofsupport flange40 aboutfold line74. However, foldlines90 and84 are positioned diagonally acrossside flanges78 and76 respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the fold lines90 and84 divide theirrespective side flanges78 and76 into respectiveoverlying flange portions78a,78b,76aand76b. Each overlying flange portion has anouter surface78c,78d,76cand76dalso shown in FIG. 2. The fold lines90 and84 allow theside flanges78 and76 to fold inwardly in the manner of a bellows or accordion pleat to respectively bring theirouter faces78c,78d,76cand76dinto face to face relationship as shown in FIG. 3C. This permitssupport flange40 to fold inwardly and be positioned at a right angle to thesidewall16, thus, forming one of the support surfaces44.Flanges42,94 and96 are similarly configured withfold lines102 and108, forming respectiveoverlying flange portions94a,94b,96aand96b. Each overlying flange portion has anouter surface94c,94d,96cand96das shown in FIG. 2. The fold lines102 and108 allow theirrespective side flanges94 and96 to fold inwardly, permittingsupport flange42 also to fold as described forsupport flange40.Adhesive118 is applied between the outer facing surfaces78c,78d,76c,76d,94c,94d,96cand96dto secure them to one another in facing relationship and hold thesupport flanges40 and42 in the folded configuration. Adhering the faces together also serves to strengthen thecontainer10, permitting deeper stacking without nesting or collapse.Side flanges78,76,94 and96 are preferably square in shape so as to minimize their size and yet provide a shape which will fold neatly within the perimeter of the container. The square shape allows the fold lines76,78,102 and108 to naturally be oriented diagonally and thus maximize the contact area when the flanges are folded to ensure good adhesion.
• Once loaded and with[0037]support flanges40 and42 folded, a top (not shown) is placed on thecontainer10 and the container is ready for shipping. It is clear that the steps involved in forming the container from the knockdown, filling the container, folding and adhering thesupport flanges40 and42 in place and placing a top on the container are relatively simple steps occasioned by the design of the knockdown110 which allows these steps to be performed rapidly and reliably by automated machinery.
• FIG. 4 shows another[0038]embodiment120 of a container according to the invention.Container120 has many of the same features ascontainer10, and the same reference characters are used to identify those parts common to both embodiments. Again,support flanges40 and42 are formed alongedges74 and92 ofopposite sidewalls16 and20 to strengthen thecontainer120 and providesupport surfaces44 to prevent nesting of containers one within the other when stacked.Container120 has adivider panel122 extending fromsidewall22 toopposite sidewall18. Thedivider panel122 divides thecentral space24 intoseparate regions24aand24ballowing the container to hold two different types of merchandise and keep them separated. Again,sidewall18 is a partial panel and has openings28aand28bproviding access to each of theseparate regions24aand24bwhen the containers are stacked together.Sidewall18 has an upstandingmiddle extension124 to which thedivider panel122 is attached.
• [0039]Container120 is formed from a blank126 shown in FIG. 5.Blank126 is preferably die-cut from corrugated paperboard substrate and has fold lines defining the edges between sidewalls, flaps and flanges substantially as described above forcontainer10. The panel surfaces visible in FIG. 5 are those which face outwardly from the central space when thecontainer120 is formed. Note thatdivider panel122 extends fromsidewall portion22b, afold line128 defining the edge between thesidewall22band thedivider panel122.Divider panel122 also has anattachment flap130 positioned at its end opposite tosidewall portion22band defined by afold line132. As shown in FIG. 4, theattachment flap130 is folded alongfold line132 at a right angle todivider panel122 and attached tomiddle extension124 to effect the attachment ofdivider panel122 to thesidewall18. Attachment offlap130 is preferably effected by adhesive.
• The configuration of the[0040]divider panel122 allows thecontainer120 to be formed into a knockdown134, shown in FIG. 6.Knockdown134 is shown in its flat configuration for shipping and has a firstknockdown wall136 comprising sidewalls18 and16, theirrespective flaps32 and30 as well asflanges96,78 and40 in a substantially samefirst plane138. Foldlines66 and52 define the firstknockdown wall136. A secondknockdown wall140 is attached to the firstknockdown wall136 at the fold lines66 and52 and is positioned in a substantially samesecond plane142 parallel to and behind thefirst plane138. The secondknockdown wall140 comprises sidewalls20 and22 (formed by attachingsidewall portions22aand22btogether) along with theirflaps34 and36 andflanges94,42 and76 all substantially insecond plane142, not all of which can be shown in FIG. 6.Knockdown134 is transformed into thecontainer120 using substantially the same steps as described above forcontainer10. Note that thedivider panel122 is sandwiched between the first and secondknockdown walls136 and140 when the knockdown is in the flat configuration depicted in FIG. 6. When theknockdown walls136 and140 are separated, thedivider panel122 pivots about itsfold lines128 and132 similar to the way sidewalls16 and20 (to which it is parallel) pivot about their respective fold lines in the manner of a four-bar linkage to effect transformation from the knockdown to the container configuration.
• Containers according to the invention provide a convenient and cost effective item for packaging, transporting and displaying bulk items. Such containers are rugged and reliably stackable and avoid the problems of nesting and collapse from which other containers suffer.[0041]

Claims (17)

What is claimed is:

1. A container upon which another container having similar dimensions may be stacked without nesting in said container, said container comprising:

a plurality of panels attached to one another along adjacent edges to form a plurality of sidewalls surrounding a central space;

a plurality of flaps extending from said sidewalls to form a bottom;

a first flange attached to a first of said sidewalls along an edge thereof positioned opposite to said bottom; and

a second flange attached to a second of said sidewalls along an edge thereof positioned opposite to said bottom, said second sidewall being attached to said first sidewall, said second flange being attached to said first flange along a common edge, said first flange being oriented substantially parallel to said bottom and extending inwardly toward said central space for supporting said other container when stacked thereon, said second flange being folded along a fold line oriented at an angle to said common edge, said second flange being thereby divided into second overlying flange portions, each of said second overlying flange portions having an outer face, said outer faces being attached to one another in face to face relationship thereby holding said first flange in position substantially parallel to said bottom.

2. A container according toclaim 1, wherein said first flange extends across the length of said first sidewall.

3. A container according toclaim 2, further comprising a third flange attached to a third of said sidewalls along an edge thereof opposite to said bottom, said third sidewall being attached to said first sidewall in facing relationship opposite to said second sidewall, said third flange being attached to said first flange along a second common edge and being folded along a fold line oriented at an angle to said second common edge, said third flange being thereby divided into third overlying flange portions, each of said third overlying flange portions having an outer face, said outer faces of said third overlying flange portions being attached to one another in face to face relationship thereby holding said first flange in position substantially parallel to said bottom.

4. A container according toclaim 3, further comprising:

a fourth flange attached to a fourth of said sidewalls along an edge thereof positioned opposite to said bottom, said fourth sidewall being in facing relationship opposite said first sidewall and attached to said second and third sidewalls; and

a fifth flange attached to one of said second and third sidewalls along an edge thereof positioned opposite to said bottom, said fifth flange being attached to said fourth flange along a third common edge, said fourth flange being oriented substantially parallel to said bottom and extending inwardly toward said central space for supporting said other container when stacked thereon, said fifth flange being folded along a fold line oriented at an angle to said third common edge, said fifth flange being thereby divided into fifth overlying flange portions, each of said fifth overlying flange portions having an outer face, said outer faces of said fifth overlying flange portions being attached to one another in face to face relationship thereby holding said fourth flange in position substantially parallel to said bottom.

5. A container according toclaim 4, wherein said fourth flange extends across the length of said fourth sidewall.

6. A container according toclaim 5, further comprising a sixth flange attached to the other of said second and third sidewalls along an edge thereof opposite to said bottom, said sixth flange being attached to said fourth flange along a fourth common edge and being folded along a fold line oriented at an angle to said fourth common edge, said sixth flange being thereby divided into sixth overlying flange portions, each of said sixth overlying flange portions having an outer face, said outer faces of said sixth overlying flange portions being attached to one another in face to face relationship thereby holding said fourth flange in position substantially parallel to said bottom.

7. A container according toclaim 1, wherein said faces of said overlying flange portions facing each other are adhesively bonded together.

8. A container according toclaim 6 and formable from a knockdown having first and second knockdown walls attached to one another at first and second knockdown corners to form a substantially flat assembly, said first knockdown wall including said first and said second sidewalls and said first, second and sixth flanges in a substantially same first plane, said second knockdown wall including said third and fourth sidewalls and said third, fourth and fifth flanges in a second substantially same plane parallel to said first plane.

9. A container according toclaim 6, wherein said second, third, fifth and sixth flanges are square in shape and said fold line on each of said flanges extends diagonally thereacross.

10. A container according toclaim 6, wherein said flanges, said sidewalls and said flaps comprise corrugated paperboard.

11. A container according toclaim 10, wherein said fold lines dividing said flanges into said overlying flange portions are defined by respective perforations of said flanges.

12. Support surfaces useable on containers to permit stacking of said containers one atop another without nesting, said containers comprising a plurality of interconnected panels forming sidewalls surrounding a central space, said sidewalls having flaps extending therefrom and foldable to form a bottom, a first and a second of said sidewalls facing one another in opposing relationship, said support surfaces comprising:

first and second support flanges respectively attached to said first and second sidewalls and extending lengthwise along edges thereof in spaced relation to said bottom, said support flanges each being oriented substantially at a right angle to said first and second sidewalls and projecting inwardly toward said central space; and

side flanges attached to each end of said first and second support flanges, each said side flange also being attached to a respective sidewall adjacent to one of said first and second sidewalls, said side flanges each being folded along a respective fold line extending diagonally across each said side flange, said fold line dividing each of said side flanges into overlying flange portions, each of said overlying flange portions having an outer face, said outer faces of overlying flange portions being attached to one another in face to face relationship.

13. Support surfaces according toclaim 12, wherein said flanges, said sidewalls and said flaps comprise corrugated paperboard.

14. Support surfaces according toclaim 13, wherein said fold lines dividing said side flanges into said overlying flange portions are defined by respective perforations of said side flanges.

15. Support surfaces according toclaim 13, wherein said first and second support flanges are integrally formed with said first and second sidewalls respectively, said first and second support flanges being defined by perforated fold lines located between said first and second sidewalls and said first and second flanges respectively.

16. Support surfaces according toclaim 13 wherein said faces of said overlying flange portions are adhered together by an adhesive positioned therebetween.

17. Support surfaces according toclaim 13 wherein said containers are formed from a knockdown having first and second knockdown walls attached to one another at first and second knockdown corners to form a substantially flat assembly, said first knockdown wall including said first sidewall, said first support flange, one of said adjacent sidewalls attached to said first sidewall, and two of said side flanges attached to said one adjacent sidewall, all located in a substantially same first plane, said second knockdown wall including said second sidewall, said second support flange, another of said adjacent sidewalls attached to said second sidewall, and two of said side flanges attached to said other adjacent sidewall, all located in a substantially same second plane parallel to said first plane.

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