EP0040599A1

EP0040599A1 - A polygonal container

Info

Publication number: EP0040599A1
Application number: EP19800900450
Authority: EP
Inventors: Walter B. Swan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-11-19
Filing date: 1979-11-19
Publication date: 1981-12-02
Also published as: WO1981001398A1

Abstract

Des conteneurs polygonaux comprennent un assemblage a parois laterales (102) et un assemblage de fond (104) qui sont adaptes pour s'engager par interverrouillage. L'assemblage a parois laterales du conteneur possede une pluralite de panneaux lateraux de forme generale rectangulaire (106a-f) interconnectes de maniere articulee pour former une enceinte definissant les cotes du conteneur polygonal. Une pluralite de volets des bords inferieurs (110a-f) sont connectes de maniere articulee aux bords inferieurs des panneaux lateraux rectangulaires et sont adaptes pour se replier vers le haut et a l'interieur de l'enceinte pour recevoir de maniere interverrouillable des elements correspondants de l'assemblage du fond de conteneur. L'assemblage du fond du conteneur possede un panneau de fond polygonal (114) ayant des co en nombre egal a celui des panneaux lateraux rectangulaires et ayant une dimension telle qu'il s'adapte a l'aide de dents dans l'assemblage des parois laterales du conteneur lorsqu'il se trouve dans une configuration assemblee pour former le fond du conteneur. Une pluralite d'oreilles (116a-f) dont le nombre est egal aux cotes du panneau de fond polygonal sont chacune d'elles connectees de maniere articulee a un cote du panneau de fond polygonal et s'etendent de celui-ci vers le bas pour s'engager de maniere effective avec les rabats des bords inferieurs s'etendant vers le haut de l'assemblage des parois laterales du conteneur. Un element de renforcement de fond (118) correspondant generalement en formes et dimensions au panneau de fond polygonal est dispose en contact intime avec le panneau de fond polygonal pour renforcer ce dernier.Polygonal containers include a sidewall assembly (102) and a bottom assembly (104) which are adapted to interlock. The container side wall assembly has a plurality of generally rectangular side panels (106a-f) interconnected in an articulated manner to form an enclosure defining the sides of the polygonal container. A plurality of lower edge flaps (110a-f) are hingedly connected to the lower edges of the rectangular side panels and are adapted to fold up and inside the enclosure to receive interlocking corresponding elements of the container bottom assembly. The container bottom assembly has a polygonal bottom panel (114) having co equal in number to that of the rectangular side panels and having a size such that it adapts with the aid of teeth in the assembly of the side walls of the container when in an assembled configuration to form the bottom of the container. A plurality of ears (116a-f), the number of which is equal to the dimensions of the polygonal bottom panel, are each connected in an articulated manner to one side of the polygonal bottom panel and extend from it downwards. to engage effectively with the flaps of the lower edges extending upward from the assembly of the side walls of the container. A bottom reinforcement element (118) generally corresponding in shape and dimensions to the polygonal bottom panel is arranged in intimate contact with the polygonal bottom panel to reinforce the latter.

Description

A POLYGONAL CONTAINER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to polygonal containers and more particularly to polygonal containers having interlocking container sides and bottom assemblies which f rther include a bottom reinforcement means, whereby the resulting polygonal container is one of exceptional strength and stability.

In the prior art, various polygonal container struc- tures have been proposed for containing various types of goods. A variety of different materials, including paper board, fiber board, and various corrugated materials have been proposed. Although many of such prior art polygonal containers have been generally acceptable for general and/or limited use, typically such prior art polygonal containers • have been less than optimal in performance and especially in their weight-supporting capacity. Also, the prior art containers frequently have utilized bottom structures which, rather than representing a point of strength to the container, have resulted in a feature of greatest relative weakness. Moreover, many such prior art containers have resulted in the contained material being supported directly by the ground, thereby frequently resulting in damage to the contents thereof. In view of the above and other difficulties asso¬ ciated with the prior art, it is an object of the polygonal container of the present invention to provide a container which has increased weight-supporting capacity.

It is also an object of the polygonal container of the present invention to provide a container having a bottom assembly of greatly increased strength.

It is an additional object of the polygonal container of the present invention to provide a container having an interlocking container sides assembly and an interlocking con- tainer bottom assembly, which further includes bottom rein¬ forcement means corresponding generally in shape and size to a polygonal bottom panel and disposed'into intimate proximity thereto to reinforce and strengthen the bottom panel.

It is a further object of the polygonal container of the present invention to provide bottom reinforcement means which may be foldably formed from a unitary blank of material.

It is yet a further object of the polygonal contain¬ er of the present invention to provide a polygonal container including stacking means and stacking cavity means to fit the containers substantially snugly together for stability of stacking.

^' It is a yet further additional object of the poly¬ gonal container of the present invention to provide a con¬ tainer top including a handle grip, reinforcement associated therewith for strength thereof during grasping and handling of the polygonal container.

It is also a further object of the polygonal con¬ tainer of the present invention to provide a hingedly con¬ nected container lid which may be interlockingly and remov- ably disposed with respect to the container sides assembly. These and other objects and advantages of the poly¬ gonal container of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following specification.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the polygonal container of the present invention there is provided a container which is polygonal in shape and which has separate container sides and container bottom assemblies adapted for interlocking engagement therebetween. The container sides assembly, in general, preferably comprise a unitary blank of relatively rigid, but foldable, material having a plurality of generally rectangular side panels hing¬ edly interconnected to form an enclosure defining the sides of the polygonal container. The container sides assembly includes a plurality of lower edge flaps hingedly connected to the lower edge of the rectangular side panels and adapted

O PI for folding upwardly and inside the enclosure to interlock- ingly receive corresponding elements of the container bottom assembly.

The container bottom assembly comprises a polygonal bottom panel having sides equal in number to the rectangular side panels of the container sides assembly and is of such a size to fit snugly within the container sides assembly when in assembled configuration thereby forming the container bottom. The container bottom assembly further includes a plurality of ear members equal in number to said number of sides of the polygonal bottom panel. Each ear member is hingedly connected to a side of the polygonal bottom panel and is downwardly extending therefrom for operative engage¬ ment with the upwardly extending lower edge flaps of the container sides assembly.

A bottom reinforcement means which corresponds gen¬ erally in shape and size to the polygonal bottom panel is disposed in intimate proximity to the polygonal bottom panel to reinforce and strengthen the polygonal bottom panel. The bottom reinforcement means may preferably comprise an insert of hard, resilient material, may be formed from a block of styrofoa material, may be formed by a spirally wound strip of material, or may be formed from a unitary blank of corru¬ gated material folded to form the bottom reinforcement means. The polygonal container of the present invention may further include any of several lid assemblies therefor. One such preferred lid assembly is hingedly connected to one of the rectangular side panels at a top edge thereof. This preferred lid assembly comprises a polygonal top panel of the size and shape generally corresponding to the opening at the top of the enclosure formed by the polygonal container. A plurality of side panels extend downwardly from the poly¬ gonal top panel to form interlocking sides of the lid assem¬ bly such that the container is securely capped at each poly- gonal side of the container opening. The container lid assem¬ bly further preferably includes a lid securement means for releaseably interlocking the lid assembly with the container sides assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the polygonal container of the present inven¬ tion illustrating the stackable feature thereof; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the em¬ bodiment of Fig. 1 showing the details of the container sides assembly, attached lid assembly, and handle grip reinforce¬ ment means, and also showing the container bottom assembly for insertion into a container sides assembly for interlock- ing disposition therewith., and further showing a bottom re¬ inforcement insert;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3—3 of Fig. 1 showing the details of interlocking mechanism between the lower edge flaps of the container sides assembly and the ear members- of the container bottom assembly;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4—4 of Fig, 1 showing the interlocking feature between the container sides assembly and the container bottom assembly, also show¬ ing the means provided for stacking several such polygonal containers, and further showing means for removably securing the attached unitary lid assembly;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5—5 of Fig. 1 further showing the details of the means provided for removably securing the attached unitary lid assembly; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the polygonal con¬ tainer embodiment as shown in Fig. 1 in partially assembled configuratio ;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the hingedly connected polygonal stacking panels as shown disposed atop the polygon- al container in Fig. 1; >

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the container bottom panel and hingedly attached ear members thereof;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a unitary blank for forming the container sides assembly, attached lid assembly, and at- tached handle grip reinforcement means, the lid assembly having a polygonal top panel with attached lid side panels and interlocking means provided therefor;

OMPI Fig. 10 is a top perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the polygonal container of the pre¬ sent invention showing the container sides assembly thereof; Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11—11 of Fig. 10 showing the alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention as depicted in Fig. 10, further showing the interlocking relationship between the container sides assembly and the container bottom assembly, and yet further showing the bottom reinforcement means thereof; Fig. 12 is a plan view of a unitary blank for form¬ ing the container sides assembly as shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is an exploded top perspective view of con¬ tainer sides assembly showing the insertion therein of a pre¬ ferred embodiment of bottom reinforcement means for operative utilization therewith;

Fig. 14 is a fragmented cross-sectional view taken along line 14—14 of Fig. 13 showing the multi-layered and reflexively folded bottom reinforcement insert disposed in relationship to the container bottom assembly for reinforce- iαent thereof;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a partially assem¬ bled bottom reinforcement insert having a polygonal central bottom reinforcement panel and attached supplemental bottom reinforcement panels which are reflexively folded onto the polygonal central panel as shown by arrows to form a multi- layered configuration having a substantial thickness;

Fig, 16 is a top view of the multi-layered bottom reinforcement insert as shown in Fig. 15 and further illus¬ trating the resistance to bending in any direction achieved by means of the overlapping multi-layered configuration;

Fig. 17 is a plan view of a unitary blank for form¬ ing the bottom reinforcement insert as shown in Fig. 15 show¬ ing the order of reflexive folding of the supplemental bottom reinforcement panels; Fig. 18 is an exploded top perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of a bottom reinforcement insert being insertable into a container sides assembly;

_ QMfl Fig. 19 is a partially assembled bottom perspective view of the bottom reinforcement insert shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a plan view of a unitary blank for form¬ ing the bottom reinforcement insert shown in Fig. 18, showin a plurality of supplemental bottom support panels hingedly connected to the bottom container assembly for reflexively folding thereon to form a multi-layered, unitary container bottom assembly and bottom reinforcement means;

Fig. 21 is a fragmented view taken along line 21—21 of Fig. 18 showing the further preferred embodiment of the unitary container bottom assembly and bottom reinforcement insert shown in Fig. 18 in its assembled configuration in operative engagement with the container sides assembly;

Fig. 22 is a top perspective view of a further pre- ferred alternative embodiment of the polygonal container of the present invention having twelve sides and having a cor¬ responding detachable lid assembly;

Fig. 23 is an exploded top perspective view of the twelve-sided container of Fig. 22 showing the bottom reinforc ment insert, the container sides assembly, the container bot¬ tom assembly, and the detachable lid therefor;

Fig. 24 is a perspective view taken along line 24— 24 of Fig. 22 showing the operation of the securement means for removably securing the lid assembly; Fig. 25 is a plan view of a unitary blank for form¬ ing the container sides assembly of the embodiment of the polygonal container of the present invention shown in Fig. 22

Fig. 26 is a plan view of a unitary blank for form¬ ing the detachable lid assembly shown in Fig. 22; Fig. 27 is a top view of the twelve-sided bottom re¬ inforcement insert shown in Fig. 23;

Fig. 28 is a plan view of the twelve-sided container bottom assembly as shown in Fig. 23.

Fig. 29 is a top perspective view of a yet additiona preferred embodiment of the polygonal container of the presen invention also showing a foldable cap assembly therefor;

OMPI

Λ. IPO Fig 30 is an exploded top perspective view of the polygonal container embodiment of Fig. 29 further showing spirally wound bottom reinforcement insert for use in con¬ junction with the container bottom assembly; Fig. 31 is a perspective view of the top of the poly¬ gonal container of Fig. 29 showing the polygonal cover panel folded upwardly to illustrate the functional mechanism of its associated polygonal cover panel hinge;

Fig. 32 is a fragmented bottom perspective view of the foldable cap assembly of the polygonal container as shown in Fig. 29;

Fig. 33 is a fragmented cross-sectional view taken along line 33—33 of Fig, 29 showing the folded cap assembly and the spiral bottom reinforcement insert; Fig. 34 is a bottom view of the polygonal container of Fig. 29 showing the interlocking relationship between the slotted lower edge flaps of the container sides assembly and the ear members of the container bottom assembly, and further showing the spirally wound reinforcement insert; and Fig. 35 is a plan view of a unitary blank for form¬ ing both the container sides assembly and the container cap assembly illustrated in Fig. 29.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Polygonal containers in accordance with the princi¬ ples and teachings of the present invention include a con¬ tainer sides assembly and a container bottom assembly which is adapted for interlocking engagement with the container sides assembly at the lower portion thereof to form the con- tainer bottom. The container sides assembly comprises a plurality of generally rectangular side panels interconnected to form an enclosure defining the sides of the polygonal con¬ tainer. A plurality of preferably slotted lower edge flaps are hingedly connected to the lower edge of the rectangular side panels and are adapted for folding upwardly and inside the enclosure to interlockingly receive corresponding ele- ments from the container bottom assembly.

The container bottom assembly includes a polygonal bottom panel having sides equal in number to those of the rectangular side panels and is of such a size as to snugly fit within the container sides assembly when it is in assem¬ bled configuration, thereby to form the container bottom. A pluralit of ear members equal in number to the number of sides of the polygonal bottom panel are each hingedly connect ed to a side of the polygonal bottom panel and extend down- wardly therefrom for operative engagement with the upwardly extending lower edge flaps of the container sides assembly. A bottom reinforcement means for the container bottom is pro¬ vided to correspond generally to the size and shape of the polygonal bottom panel and to be disposed into intimate proximity to the polygonal bottom panel to reinforce and strengthen the polygonal bottom panel. Such bottom reinforce ment means preferably is disposed in contact with and is fix¬ edly secured to the polygonal bottom panel at the underside thereof. Means for fixably securing the bottom reinforcement means may includes staples, glue, or other means known to one skilled in the art. The bottom reinforcement means may also be maintained in intimate proximity to the polygonal bottom panel by means of an interference fit between the bottom reinforcement means and the plurality of lower edge flaps when the lower edge flaps are folded upwardly and in¬ side the container enclosure to interlockingly receive the ear members of the container bottom assembly.^'

The bottom reinforcement means may preferably com¬ prise an insert of a hard, resilient material, such as metal, plastic, fiberboard, or other materials. An insert of styro- foam material may also be utilized. An alternative preferred bottom reinforcement means may comprise an insert of a ver¬ tically corrugated material having a multiplicity of corruga¬ ted ribs extending normal to the polygonal bottom panel such as in a vertical honeycomb configuration. The multiplicity of corrugated ribs covers substantially one face of the poly¬ gonal bottom panel to support and reinforce the entirety

OMPI thereof and especially against a downwardly compressive force.

Further alternative bottom reinforcement means may comprise a preferably unitary blank having a polygonal cen¬ tral bottom reinforcement panel corresponding generally to the size and shape of the polygonal bottom panel. A plural¬ ity of supplemental reinforcement panels equal in number to the number of polygonal sides of the polygonal central bot¬ tom reinforcement panel may be attached thereto by means of hinges disposed therebetween, thereby permitting reflexively folding a first supplemental bottom reinforcement panel and the others in sequence to form a multi-layered insert having a substantial thickness. The length of the hinge means be¬ tween the respective supplemental bottom reinforcement panels and the polygonal central reinforcement panel preferably in- creases proportionally from the first supplemental bottom panel to the last supplemental reinforcement bottom panel, whereby the multi-layered insert once folded will tend to remain in such multi-layered configuration without the appli¬ cation of substantial external force. The polygonal bottom reinforcement panel, the supplemental bottom reinforcement panel, and the hinge means may preferably comprise a horizon¬ tally corrugated material having corrugated ribs disposed generally parallel to each other uniformly along the length of the unitary panel. The result of such a structure is that when the supplemental bottom panels are reflexively folded to form the multi-layered insert configuration, the corrugat¬ ed ribs on adjacent supplemental bottom panels overlap each other at an acute angle to form a structure having substan¬ tially uniform flex resistance to bending in any lateral dir- ection. This preferred embodiment of a bottom reinforcement insert preferably has sides of less than seven (7) in number with the hexagonal shape being preferred.

A further alternative embodiment of a bottom rein¬ forcement means includes a plurality of hingedly interconnect- ed supplemental bottom support panels of substantially the same size and shape as the polygonal bottom panel, at least one of which supplemental bottom support panels is hingedly connected to the bottom support panel at a polygonal side thereof for reflexively folding onto the bottom support panel, thereby to provide reinforcement thereto. The supple¬ mental bottom support panels are reflexively folded on the underside of the polygonal bottom container in preferred em¬ bodiments. At least one such supplemental bottom support panel is hingedly connected to each of a pair of opposing polygonal sides of the polygonal bottom support panel. Such opposing connected supplemental bottom support panels are preferably hingedly connected to the polygonal side of the polygonal bottom panel near the juncture of the connected polygonal side with the adjacent polygonal side of the poly¬ gonal bottom panel. In such embodiments, the ear members of the container bottom assembly are connected to such polygonal bottom panel interior of the connection thereof with the supplemental bottom support panel. Also in such preferred embodiments, at least a first supplemental bottom support panel is foldable along a fold line dividing such first sup¬ plemental bottom support panel into equal parts for reflexive ly folding at least such first supplemental bottom support panel onto itself, whereby the container bottom is disposed into folded configuration. In such a configuration each such opposing first supplemental bottom support panel reinforces one-half of the polygonal bottom panel. A second supplementa bottom support panel having such fold lines thereon is pre¬ ferably provided for hinged connection to the oppositely dis¬ posed first supplemental bottom support panel for additional reinforcement to the polygonal bottom panel.

In other alternative preferred embodiments, the re- inforcement means may comprise a strip of flexible material which is spirally wound to form a cylindrical body having a diameter of such size and shape as to fit snugly with respect to the lower edge flaps of the container sides assembly when the container sides assembly is disposed in interlocking en- gagement with the container bottom assembly. Such polygonal containers may have from twelve (12) to twenty-four (.24) sides, although a lesser number of sides, such as the hexa-

__. OMP gonal shape, is meant to be included within the scope of the present invention.

The polygonal container of the present invention may further include a stacking cavity at the bottom thereof bounded by the bottom reinforcement means lower surface and the lower edge flaps. Corresponding means for.covering the opening at the top of the polygonal container of the enclo¬ sure may include thereon a mating stacking means projecting above the surface thereof for engagement with the stacking cavity of another polygonal container. The stacking means and stacking cavity are preferably of such corresponding size and shape to fit substantially snugly together, whereby stable stacking of containers may be maintained. One preferred embo¬ diment for such stacking means includes at least two polygonal stacking panels hingedly connected at polygonal sides thereof for reflexively folding together into intimate contact of the respective faces thereof to form a stacking block of sub¬ stantial thickness for stacking engagement with the stacking cavity. Alternatively, a solid block of material, such as styrofoam, may be utilized.

A polygonal container of the present invention may further include, in conjunction with a lid assembly having an aperture therein, a handle grip reinforcement means for use when the container is manually grasped and handled. Such handle grip reinforcement means preferably comprises a grip member which is hingedly connected at the proximal portion thereof to the top edge of the rectangular side panel form¬ ing the proximate polygonal side and projecting laterally across the opening to a position adjacent the lid aperture. Such handle grip reinforcement grip member is preferably reflexively foldable at a central portion thereof and has a mating tab for interlocking engagement with a horizontal slot means contained in the corresponding rectangular side panel top portion. The polygonal container of the present invention may also include a lid assembly hingedly connected to one of the rectangular side panels at the top edge thereof. The lid as- sembly preferably comprises a polygonal top panel of suffi¬ cient size and shape to cover the opening at the top of the enclosure formed by the polygonal container. The top panel is hingedly connected at a first lid polygonal side thereof to the top edge of one of the rectangular side panels to form a first, hinged polygonal lid side. A plurality of lid side panels, being one less in number than the number of poly gonal sides of the polygonal container, are each hingedly connected at a proximal portion thereof to a polygonal side of the polygonal top panel. Each lid side panel is dispos¬ able downwardly when in assembled configuration into contact¬ ing relationship with the top portion of the corresponding rectangular top panels of the container sides assembly to close the opening at the top of the enclosure formed by the polygonal container. A pair of the lid side panels are con¬ nected to second and third lid polygonal sides adjacent to the first, hinged polygonal lid side. Each of the second and third lid polygonal sides has a free side edge and abut¬ ting side edges. The remainder of the lid side panels have two opposed abutting side edges when the lid side panels are disposed downwardly in an assembled configuration.

A plurality of interlocking panels, being two less in number than the number of polygonal sides of the polygon¬ al container, are each hingedly connected to an opposed side edge of a corresponding lid side panel. Each side panel bears a locking protrusion thereon. Each of a plurality of securement panels, being three less than the number of sides of the polygonal container, is hingedly connected at its proximal end to the distal end of one of the remainder of the lid side panels. Each such securement panel has a lock¬ ing slit disposed at the hinged connection with the corres¬ ponding lid side panel for mating engagement with such lock¬ ing protrusion, thereby to secure the lid in assembled con¬ figuration. The unitary lid and container sides assembly pre¬ ferably further includes lid securement means for removably securing the assembled lid atop the assembled container sides assembly. The lid securement means preferably comprises a securement release access aperture disposed in at least one of the remainder of the lid side panels to form an apertured lid side panel. A lid securement flap is hingedly disposed at the top edge of the rectangular side panel corresponding to each of the apertured lid side panels. Each of the lid securement flaps is foldable outwardly and downwardly for locking engagement with the corresponding securement panel distal edge. The result .of such structure is that, when the lid assembly is in assembled configuration, it may be disposed over the top portion of the container sides assembly to slide over and lockingly engage the lid securement flap. Thereafter, the lid securement flaps may be manually pressed and disposed slightly inwardly through the securement release access aperture to disengage the lid securement flaps from the securement panel distal edge for removing the cover.

The polygonal container of the present invention may have a polygonal lid provided for use in connection therewith. The polygonal lid includes a polygonal top panel having a number of polygonal sides the same in number as the number of sides of the corresponding polygonal container. The polygonal top panel is of such size and shape to correspond substantially to the size and shape of the opening of the top of the poly¬ gonal container. A plurality of lid side panels are provided, being the same in number as the number of sides of the poly¬ gonal container, each having oppositely disposed upper and lower edges and opposed side edges. Each lid side panel is hingedly connected at a proximal edge thereof to a polygonal side of the polygonal top panel for foldable disposition downwardly and substantially normal to the polygonal top panel to dispose adjacent lid side panels in substantially contacting relationship at the opposed sides thereof.

Also included are means for maintaining the opposed sides in substantially contacted relationship. A securement panel is hingedly connected to the distal edge of each lid side panel with the securement panel being reflexively fold¬ able upwardly to dispose each securement panel into intimate proximity to the interior surface of each of the lid side panels. Further included are lid securement means for re¬ movably securing the polygonal top on the assembled container The lid securement means includes a securement release ac- cess aperture disposed on at least one of the lid side panels to form an apertured lid side panel. A lid securement flap is hingedly disposed at the top edge of the rectangular side panel corresponding to each of the apertures of the side panels. Each lid securement panel is foldable outwardly and downwardly for locking engagement with the corresponding securement panel distal edge. The result is that when in assembled configuration the lid assembly may be disposed over the top portion of the container sides assembly to slide over and lockingly engage the lid securement flap. The polygonal container of the present invention may preferably have lower edge flaps and corresponding engaging ear members which are equal in number. The number of sides of the polygonal container may be three or greater, prefer¬ ably six in some embodiments and twelve to twenty-four in others. The lower edge flaps of the container sides assembly are preferably separated from each other by a slit extending from the lower extremity of the container sides assembly to the corresponding rectangular side panel, thereby to render the lower edge flaps more easily foldable upwardly in en- gagement with the ear members of the container bottom assem¬ bly. Such slits separating the lower edge flaps may perfer- ably extend from the lower extremity of the container to a point preferably disposed between two adjacent rectangular side panels to permit greater ease in folding the lower edge flaps upwardly.

The container sides assembly may further preferably include a longitudinally extending side flap hingedly dis¬ posed therefrom, with the panel disposed at the opposite side of the blank having a free edge for receiving the longitudi- nally extending side flap, thereby to form the enclosure of the polygonal container.

OM?I

The polygonal container of the present invention may also include in preferred embodiments a cap assembly for covering the opening at the top of the enclosure formed by the polygonal container. The cap assembly preferably includes at least one polygonal cover panel hingedly attached at a first polygonal side thereof to the top edge of a first rec¬ tangular side panel. The polygonal cover panel is foldable generally normal to the first rectangular side panel for covering the top opening of the polygonal container. A poly- gonal cover hinge is foldably attached to the polygonal cover panel at a second polygonal side which is adjacent to the first polygonal side. The polygonal cover hinge is also fold¬ ably attached at the top edge of a second rectangular side panel which, is adjacent to the first rectangular side panel. The polygonal cover hinge is wedge-shaped to span the angle between the second polygonal side of the polygonal cover panel and between the top edge of the second rectangular side panel, the angle being generally bisected by a fold line thereby forming the hinged structure. The functioning of that structure is such that, when the polygonal cover panel is disposed normal to the first rectangular side panel, the second polygonal side of the polygonal cover panel is dis¬ posed onto the top edge of the second rectangular side panel to cover the opening at the top of the enclosure formed by the polygonal container. In an alternative preferred embodi¬ ment, at least two polygonal cover panels and accompanying polygonal cover hinges may be provided for overlapping dis¬ position when in the folded position normal to the corres¬ pondingly rectangular side panels. The polygonal cover panels may be separated by two intervening rectangular side panels. Supplemental cover panels of lesser size than the polygonal cover panels may be provided for supplemental support to the polygonal cover panels when in such folded and covering relationship. Referring now to the drawing wherein common members are for the most part utilized for common elements and to Figs. 1 and 2 in particular, the polygonal container of the present

OMPI /., WIPO - invention shown generally at 100 includes a container sides assembly generally 102 and a container bottom assembly gene¬ rally 104 which is adapted for interlocking engagement with container sides assembly 102 at the lower portion 103 thereo to form the container bottom. Container sides assembly 102 comprises a plurality of generally rectangular side panels 106a-f (see Figs. 9 and 12) interconnected to form an en¬ closure 108 defining the sides of polygonal container 100. A plurality of preferably slotted, lower edge flaps llOa-f are hingedly connected to the lower edge 112 of rectangular side panels 106a-c and are adapted for folding upwardly and inside enclosure 108 to interlockingly receive corresponding elements from container bottom assembly 104. Container bot¬ tom assembly 104 includes a polygonal bottom panel 114 havin sides equal in number to those of the rectangular side panel 106a-f and is of such a size as to snugly fit within the con tainer sides assembly 102 when it is in assembled configura¬ tion, thereby to form the container bottom. As shown in Fig. 8, a plurality of ear members 116a-f equal in number to the number of sides of polygonal bottom panel 114 are each hinge ly connected to a side of polygonal bottom panel 114 and ex¬ tend downwardly therefrom for operative engagement with the upwardly extending lower edge flaps llOa-f of container side assembly 102. A bottom reinforcement means generally 118 for the container bottom is provided to correspond generally to the size and shape of polygonal bottom panel 114 and to be disposed into intimate proximity to polygonal bottom pane 114 to reinforce and strengthen polygonal bottom panel 114. Such bottom reinforcement means 118 preferably is disposed i contact with and is fixably secured to polygonal bottom pane 114 at the underside 120 thereof as shown in Fig. 4. Means for fixably securing the bottom reinforcement means may in¬ clude staples, glue or other means known to one skilled in the art. Bottom reinforcement means 118 may also be main- tained in intimate proximity to polygonal bottom panel 114 by means of an interference fit between bottom reinforcement means 118 and the plurality of lower edge flaps llOa-f when

_O PI lower edge flaps llOa-f are folded upwardly and inside the container enclosure as shown in Figs. 4 and 6 to interlock- ingly receive ear members llβa-f of container bottom assembly 1Q4. Bottom reinforcement means 104 may preferably com¬ prise an insert of a hard, resilient material, such as metal, plastic, fiberboard, or other material. An insert of styro- foam material may also be utilized. As shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 11, an alternative preferred bottom reinforcement means 118 may comprise an insert of a vertically corrugated mater¬ ial having a multiplicity of corrugated ribs 122 extending normal to polygonal bottom panel 114 such as in a vertical honeycomb configuration. The multiplicity of corrugated ribs 122 covers substantially one face of polygonal bottom panel 114 to support and reinforce the entirety thereof and especially against a downwardly compressive force.

As shown in Figs. 13-17, further alternative bottom reinforcement means 125 may comprise a preferably unitary blank 124 as shown in Fig. 17 having-a polygonal central bot- torn reinforcement panel 126 corresponding generally to the size and shape of the polygonal bottom panel 114. A plural¬ ity of supplemental reinforcement panels 128a-f equal in num¬ ber to the number of polygonal sides of the polygonal central bottom reinforcement panel 126 may be attached thereto by means of hinges 130a-f disposed therebetween (see Fig. 17) thereby permitting reflexively folding a first supplemental bottom reinforcement panel 130a and the others 130b-f in sequence to form a multi-layered insert 131 having a substan¬ tial thickness. The length of hinge means 13Qa-f between the respective supplemental bottom reinforcement panels 128a-f and polygonal central reinforcement panel 126 preferably increases proportionally from first supplemental bottom panel 128a to the last supplemental reinforcement bottom panel 128f, where¬ by the multi-layered insert 125 once folded will tend to re- main in such multi-layered configuration without the applica¬ tion of substantial external force. Polygonal bottom rein¬ forcement panel 126, supplemental bottom reinforcement panel 128a-f and hinge means 130a-f may preferably comprise a hori zontally corrugated material having corrugated ribs 132 dis¬ posed generally parallel to each other uniformly along the length of unitary panel 218. The result of such a structure is that when the supplemental bottom panels 128a-f are re¬ flexively folded in such numbered sequence to form multi- layered insert 131, corrugated ribs 132 on adjacent supple¬ mental bottom panels overlap each other at an acute angle to form a structure having substantially uniform flex resistanc to bending in any lateral direction, as illustrated, by grain direction lines 1-3-6, and 2-5 of Fig. 16. This preferred embodiment of a bottom reinforcement insert 125 preferably has sides of less than seven (7) in number with the hexagona shape being preferred as illustrated in Figs. 13-17. A further laternative embodiment of a bottom rein¬ forcement means 134 is shown in Figs. 18-21 and includes a plurality of hingedly interconnected supplemental bottom support panels 136a-f of substantially the same size and shape as polygonal bottom panel 114, at least one of which supplemental bottom support panels (136d, for example) is hingedly connected directly to bottom support panel 114 at a polygonal side 138 thereof for reflexively folding onto the bottom support panel 114 as shown in Fig. 19, thereby to provide reinforcement thereto. Supplemental bottom sup- port panels 136a-f are reflexively folded on the underside 138 of polygonal bottom container 114 in preferred embodi¬ ments. At least one such supplemental bottom support panel (136c and 136d, for example), is hingedly connected to each of a pair 138, 140 of opposing polygonal sides of polygonal bottom support panel 114. Such opposing connected supple¬ mental bottom support panels 136c and 136d are preferably hingedly connected to polygonal sides 138, 140 of polygonal bottom panel 114 near the juncture of the connected poly¬ gonal side with the adjacent polygonal side of polygonal bottom panel. In such embodiments, ear members 116a, 116d of container bottom assembly 104 are connected to such poly¬ gonal bottom panel 114 interior of the connection thereof with supplemental bottom support panels 136d and 136c res¬ pectively. Also in such preferred embodiments, at least a first supplemental bottom support panel 136d is foldable along a fold line 142 dividing such first supplemental bot- torn support panel 136d into equal parts for reflexively folding at least such first supplemental bottom support panel 136d onto itself, whereby the container bottom is dis¬ posed into folded configuration to form an insert of substan¬ tial thickness as shown in Fig. 21. In such a configuration each such opposing first supplemental bottom support panel 136c and 136d reinforces one-half of the polygonal bottom panel 114. A second supplemental bottom support panel 136e having such fold line 144 thereon is preferably provided for hinged connection to first supplemental bottom support panel 136d for additional reinforcement to the polygonal bottom panel 114. In further preferred embodiments a third, unfolded supplemental bottom support panel 136f may be at¬ tached to second supplemental bottom panel 136e opposite the first supplemental bottom support panel 136d for yet further support.

As shown in Figs. 30, 33 and 34, in other alternative preferred embodiments the reinforcement means 118 may comprise a strip 146 of, flexible material which is spirally wound to form a cylindrical body 148, as shown in Fig. 30. Cylindri- cal body 148 has a diameter of such size and shape as to fit snugly with respect to lower edge flaps llOa-f of con¬ tainer sides assembly 102 when container sides assembly 102 is disposed in interlocking engagement with container bottom assembly 104, Such polygonal containers may have from twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) sides, although a lesser num¬ ber of sides, such as the hexagonal shape as shown, is meant to be included within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in Fig, 4, the polygonal container of the present invention 100 may further include a stacking cavity 148 at the bottom thereof bounded by bottom reinforcement means 118 lower surface 150 and lower edge flaps llOa-f. Corresponding cover means generally 152 in the form of a lid asse bly for covering the opening at the top of the polygona container enclosure may include thereon a mating stacking means 154 projecting above the surface thereof for engagemen with stacking cavity 148 of another polygonal container 100. Stacking means 154 and stacking cavity 148 are preferably of such corresponding size and shape to fit substantially snugly together as shown in Fig. 4, whereby stable stacking of containers may be maintained as shown in Fig. 1. As show in Fig. 7, one preferred embodiment for such stacking means 154 includes at least two polygonal stacking panels 156, 158 hingedly connected by hinge 160 at polygonal sides thereof for reflexively folding together into intimate contact of th respective faces 156a, 158a thereof to form a stacking block of substantial thickness for stacking engagement with stack- ing cavity 148. Alternatively, a solid block of material, such as styrofoam, may be utilized.

As shown especially in Figs. 2, 6 and, one preferred embodiment of the polygonal container 100 of the present invention may further include, in conjunction with lid assem bly 152 having an aperture 160 therein, a handle grip rein¬ forcement means generally 164 for use when the container is manually grasped and handled, as shown in Figs. 2, 4, 6 and Such handle grip reinforcement means 164 preferably comprise a grip member 166 which is hingedly connected at the proxima portion 168 thereof to the top edge of rectangular side pane 106f forming the proximate polygonal side and projecting laterally across the opening to a position adjacent lid aper ture 162. Such handle grip reinforcement grip member 166 is preferably reflexively foldable at a central portion 170 thereof and has a mating tab at the distal end 174 thereof for-interlocking engagement with a horizontal slot means 176 contained in the top portion of the corresponding rectangula side panel 106f.

Polygonal container 100 of the present invention pre ferably includes lid assembly 152 which is hingedly connecte to one of the rectangular side panels 106c at the top edge thereof as shown especially in Figs. 2, 6 and 9. Lid asεem- _^

bly 152 preferably comprises a polygonal top panel 180 of sufficient size and shape to cover opening 108 at the top of the enclosure formed by polygonal container 100. As shown especially in Fig. 9, a plurality of lid side panels 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, being one less in number than the number of polygonal sides of polygonal container 100, are each hingedly connected at respective proximal portions thereof to polygonal sides 182a, 184a, 196a, 188a, and 190a of polygonal top panel 180. Each lid side panel 182, 184, 186, 188, 190 is disposable downwardly when in assembled configu¬ ration into contacting relationship with the top portion of the corresponding rectangular top panels of the container sides assembly to close the opening at the top of the en¬ closure formed by the polygonal container, as shown in Fig. 1 in particular. A pair of the lid side panels 182, 190 are connected to second and third lid polygonal sides 182a, 190a adjacent to the first hinged polygonal lid side 186a. As shown particularly in Fig. 6, each of the second and third lid polygonal sides 182a, 190a has a free side edge 182b, 190b and an abutting side edge 182c, 190c. The remainder of the lid side panels 184, 186, 188 have two opposed abutting side edges 184c, 186c, 188c when the lid side panels are dis¬ posed downwardly into an assembled configuration.

A plurality of interlocking panels 182d, 184d, 188d, 190d, being two less in number than the number of polygonal sides of the polygonal container, are each hingedly connected to opposed side edges 182c, 184c, 188c, 190c of corresponding lid side panels 182, 184, 188, 190. Each such side panel bears a locking protrusion 182e, 184e, 188e, 190e thereon. Each of a plurality of securement panels 184f, 186f, 188f, being three less than the number of sides of the polygonal container, is hingedly connected at its proximal end to the distal end of lid side panels 184, 186, 188. Each such securement panel has a locking slit 184g, 186g, 188g disposed at the hinged connection with corresponding lid side panel 184, 186, 188 for mating engagement with such locking pro¬ trusion, thereby to secure the lid in assembled configuration.

- TE ξ O PI tr.. I?0 Lid assembly 152 and container sides assembly 102 preferably further include lid securement means for remov¬ ably securing the assembled lid 152 atop the assembled con¬ tainer sides assembly 102. The lid securement means whose functioning is best seen in Fig. 5 preferably comprises se¬ curement release access aperture 192, 192 disposed in lid side panels 184, 188 to form an apertured lid side panel. Lid securement flaps 194, 196 are hingedly disposed at the top edge of the rectangular side panels 106a, 106e corres- ponding to each of the apertured lid side panels. Each of the lid securement flaps 194, 196 is foldable outwardly and downwardly for locking engagement with the corresponding se¬ curement panel distal edge 184h, 188h. The result of such structure is that, when the lid assembly is in assembled configuration, it may be disposed over the top portion of the container sides assembly 102 to slide over and lockingly engage lid securement flaps 194, 196. Thereafter, the lid securement flaps may be manually pressed and disposed slight¬ ly inwardly through the securement release access apertures - 192, 192 to disengage lid securement flaps 194, 196 from securement panel distal edges 182d, 19Od for removing lid as¬ sembly 152,

Polygonal container 100 of the present invention may have a polygonal lid generally 198 provided for use in con- nection therewith, as shown in Figs. 22-28, which functions in some respects similarly to the embodiment shown in Figs. 2, 4, 6 and 9. Polygonal lid 198 includes a polygonal top panel 200 having a number of polygonal sides the same in num¬ ber as the number of sides of the corresponding polygonal container 100 as shown in Fig. 22. Polygonal top panel 200 is of such size and shape to correspond substantially to the size and shape of the opening 108 at the top of the polygonal container. A plurality of lid side panels 202, 204, 206, 208 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224 are provided, being the same in number as the number of sides of the polygonal container, each having oppositely disposed upper edges 202a et seq. , lower edges 202b et. seq. , and opposed side edges

_O ?I 202c et. seq. Each lid side panel is hingedly connected at a proximal edge thereof to a polygonal side of the polygonal top panel for foldable disposition downwardly and substantial¬ ly normal to the polygonal top panel to dispose adjacent lid side panels in substantially contacting relationship at the opposed sides thereof.

Also included are means for maintaining the opposed sides in substantially contacted relationship. Securement panels 202d et. seq. are hingedly connected to the distal edge 202b et. seq. of each lid side panel with the respective securement panel being reflexively foldable upwardly to dis¬ pose each securement panel into intimate proximity to the interior surface of each of the lid side panels. Interlock¬ ing panels 202e et.seq. are provided for interlocking the respective lid side panels 200 et. seq. by the mechanism as shown in greater detail in connection with Figs. 2 and 6. Further included are lid securement means for removably se¬ curing the polygonal top on the assembled container. The lid securement means includes securement release access aper- ture 192 disposed on lid side panels 202, 208, 214, 220 to form apertured lid side panels. Lid securement flaps 226a- 226e are hingedly disposed at the top edges of rectangular side panels 106a-106e corresponding to each of the apertures of the side panels. Each lid securement panel 202d et. seq. is foldable outwardly and downwardly for locking engagement with the corresponding securement panel distal edge 202f et. seq. The result is that when in assembled configuration lid assembly 200 may be disposed over the top portion of the con¬ tainer sides assembly to slide over and lockingly engage lid securement flaps 226a-226e.

The polygonal container of the present invention may preferably have lower edge flaps 110 and corresponding en¬ gaging ear members 116 which are equal in number. The number of sides of the polygonal container may be three or greater, preferably six in some embodiments and twelve to twenty-four in others. The lower edge flaps of the container sides as¬ sembly are preferably separated from each other by slits 230 extending from the lower extremity 232 of container sides as sembly 102 to the corresponding rectangular side panel 106 thereby to render lower edge flaps 110 more easily foldable upwardly in engagement with ear members 110 of container bot torn assembly 102. Such slits 230 may preferably extend from the lower extremity 232 of the container to a point prefer¬ ably disposed between two adjacent rectangular side panels as shown in Figs. 25 and 35 to permit greater ease in fold¬ ing the lower edge flaps upwardly. Alternatively, such slit 230 may extend to a point dividing the lower edge of an indi vidual rectangular side panel, as shown in Figs. 9 and 12.

The container sides assembly 102 may further prefer¬ ably include a longitudinally extending side flap 234 hing¬ edly disposed therefrom, with the panel disposed at the op- posite side of the blank having a free edge 236 for receivin the longitudinally extending side flap, thereby to form the enclosure of the polygonal container.

As shown in particular in Figs. 29-35, polygonal con tainer 100 of the present invention may also include in pre- ferred embodiments a cap assembly generally 238 for covering the opening at the top of the enclosure formed by the poly¬ gonal container. The cap assembly preferably includes over¬ lapping polygonal cover panels 240, 242 hingedly attached at first polygonal sides 240a, 242a thereof to the top edge of- rectangular side panels 106b, 106e. Polygonal cover panels 240, 242 are foldable generally normal to rectangular side panels 106b, 106e for covering the top opening of polygonal container 100. Polygonal cover hinges 244, 246 are foldably attached to the polygonal cover panels 240, 242 at second polygonal sides 240b, 242b which are respectively adjacent to first polygonal sides 240a, 242a. Polygonal cover hinges 244, 246 are also foldably attached at the top edge of second rectangular side panels 106c, 106f which are adjacent respec¬ tively to the first rectangular side panels 106b, 106f. Poly gonal cover hinges 244, 246 are wedge-shaped to span the angl between the respective second polygonal sides 240b, 242b of polygonal cover panels 240, 242 and between the top edges of the respective second rectangular side panels 106c, 106f, the angle being generally bisected by respective fold lines 250, 252 thereby forming the hinged structure. The functioning of that structure is such that, when polygonal cover panels 240, 242 are disposed normal to the respective rectangular side panels 106b, 106e, the second polygonal sides 240b, 242b of polygonal cover panels 240, 242 are disposed onto the top edges of rectangular side panels 106c, 106f to cover the opening at the top of the enclosure formed by polygonal con- tainer 100.

Polygonal cover panels 240, 242 may be separated by two intervening rectangular side panels. Supplemental cover panels 254, 256 of lesser size than polygonal cover panels 240, 242 may be provided for supplemental support to poly- gonal cover panels 240, 242 when they are disposed in such folded and covering relationship.

The material preferably utilized for construction of polygonal containers of the present invention is a rigid but foldable material. Materials which have proved to be notably successful have been corrugated materials.

The basic and novel characteristics of the polygonal container of the present invention will be readily understood from the foregoing disclosure by those skilled in the art. It will become readily apparent that various changes and mod- ifications may be made in the form, construction and arrange¬ ment of the polygonal container of the present invention as set forth hereinabove without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the preferred and al¬ ternative embodiments of the present invention set forth hereinabove are not intended to limit such spirit and scope in any way.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A polygonal container having a container sides assembly and a container bottom assembly which is adapted for interlocking engagement with said container sides assem- 5 bly at the lower portion thereof for forming the container bottom: said container sides assembly comprising: a plurality of generally rectangular side panels hin gedly interconnected to form an enclosure defining 0 the sides of the polygonal container; and a plurality of lower edge flaps hingedly connected to the lower edge of said rectangular side panels and adapted for folding upwardly and inside the enclosure to interlockingly receive corresponding 5 elements from said container bottom assembly; and said container bottom assembly comprising: a polygonal bottom panel having sides equal in num¬ ber to said rectangular side panels and being of such a size to fit snugly within said container 0 sides assembly when in assembled configuration for forming the container bottom; a plurality of ear members equal in number to said number of sides of said polygonal bottom panel, each of which ear members is hingedly connected to 5 a side of said polygonal bottom panel and is down¬ wardly extending therefrom for operative engagement with said upwardly extending lower edge flaps of said container sides assembly; and bottom reinforcement means corresponding generally in Q shape and size to said polygonal bottom panel and disposed in intimate proximity to said polygonal bottom panel to reinforce and strengthen said poly¬ gonal bottom panel.

2. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said 5 bottom reinforcement means is in contact with and fixedly secured to said polygonal bottom panel at the underside there of.

3. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said bottom reinforcement means is maintained in intimate proxi¬ mity to said polygonal bottom panel by means of an interfer¬ ence fit between said bottom reinforcement means and said plurality of lower edge flaps when said lower edge flaps are folded upwardly and inside the container enclosure to interlockingly receive said ear members of said container bottom assembly.

4. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said bottom reinforcement means comprises an insert of a hard, re¬ silient material.

5. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said bottom reinforcement means comprises an insert of styrofoam material.

6. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said bottom reinforcement means comprises an insert of corrugated material having a multiplicity of corrugated ribs extending normal to said polygonal bottom panel, said multiplicity of corrugated ribs disposed across substantially one face of said polygonal bottom panel to support and reinforce the entirety of the polygonal bottom panel and especially against a downwardly compressive force.

7. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said bottom reinforcement means comprises: a polygonal central bottom reinforcement panel cor¬ responding generally in size and shape to said poly¬ gonal bottom panel; a plurality of supplemental bottom reinforcement pan¬ els, each corresponding generally in size and shape . - to said polygonal central bottom reinforcement panel; and hinge means disposed between one side of each supple¬ mental bottom reinforcement panel and a correspond¬ ing side of said polygonal central bottom reinforce- ment panel for reflexively folding a first said supplemental bottom reinforcement panel and the others in sequence to the last supplemental bottom reinforcement means onto said polygonal central bottom reinforcement panel to form a multilayered configuration having a substantial thickness, the length of said hinge means between said supplemen¬ tal bottom reinforcement panels and said polygonal central reinforcement panel increasing proportion¬ ally from said first supplemental bottom reinforce¬ ment panel, whereby said multilayered configuration once folded will tend to remain in such folded multilayered configuration without substantial ap¬ plication of external force.

8. The polygonal container of claim 7 wherein said polygonal bottom reinforcemental panel, said supplemental bottom reinforcement panels, and said hinge means comprise a unitary panel of corrugated material having corrugated ribs disposed generally parallel to each other and uniformly along the length of said unitary panel, whereby when said supple¬ mental bottom panels are reflexively folded to form said multilayered configuration said corrugated ribs on adjacent supplemental bottom panels overlap each other at an acute angle to form a structure having substantially uniform flex resistance.

9. The polygonal container of claim 8 wherein the number of polygonal sides of each of said polygonal bottom panel and said corresponding bottom reinforcement means is less than seven in number.

10. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said bottom reinforcement means comprises: a plurality of hingedly interconnected supplemental bottom support panels of substantially the same size and shape as said polygonal bottom panel and at least one of which is hingedly connected to said bottom support panel at a polygonal side thereof for reflexive folding onto said bottom support panel thereby to provide reinforcement thereto. - 9-

11. The polygonal container of claim 10 wherein said supplemental bottom support panels are reflexively fold¬ ed onto the underside of said polygonal bottom container.

12. The polygonal container of claim 11 wherein at least one of said supplemental bottom support panels is hingedly connected directly to each of a pair of opposing polygonal sides of said polygonal bottom support panel.

13. The polygonal container of claim 12 wherein said opposingly connected supplemental bottom support panels are hingedly connected to the polygonal side of said poly¬ gonal bottom panel near the juncture of said polygonal side with the adjacent polygonal side of said polygonal bottom panel.

14. The polygonal container of claim 13 wherein one of said ear members is connected on said polygonal side in¬ terior of the connection thereof with said supplemental bot¬ tom support panel.

15. The polygonal container of claim 12 wherein at least said first supplemental bottom support panel on each opposed side of said polygonal bottom panel is foldable along a fold line dividing each, said first supplemental bottom sup¬ port panel into substantially equal parts for reflexively folding at least said first supplemental bottom support panel onto itself whereby when said container bottom assembly is in folded configuration each said opposing first supplemental bottom support panel reinforces one-half of said polygonal bottom panel.

16. The polygonal container of claim 15 wherein second supplemental bottom support panels having said fold lines thereon are hingedly connected to said oppositely dis¬ posed first supplemental bottom support panels for additional reinforcement of said polygonal bottom panel.

17. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said bottom reinforcement means comprises a strip of substantially flexible material spirally wound to form a cylindrical body having a diameter of such size sufficient to fit snugly with respect to lower edge flaps of said container sides assembly when said container sides assembly is disposed in interlock¬ ing engagement with said container bottom assembly.

18. The polygonal container of claim 17 wherein said polygonal container has more than eleven polygonal side

19. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said polygonal container includes a stacking cavity at the bottom thereof bounded by said bottom reinforcement means lower sur face and said lower edge flaps when said container sides as- sembly and said container bottom assembly are disposed in interlocking engagement, and said polygonal container furthe includes means for covering the opening at the top of the en closure formed by said rectangular side panels, said coverin means including thereon stacking means projecting above the surface thereof for engagement with said stacking cavity of another said polygonal container.

20. The polygonal container of claim 19 wherein sai stacking means and said stacking cavity are of such corres¬ ponding size and shape to fit substantially snugly together whereby stable stacking of several such polygonal containers may be maintained.

21. The polygonal container of claim 20 wherein sai stacking means comprises at least two polygonal stacking panels hingedly connected at polygonal sides thereof for re- flexively folding together into intimate contact of the re¬ spective faces thereof to form a stacking block of substan¬ tial thickness for said stacking engagement with said stack¬ ing cavity.

22. The polygonal container of claim 21 wherein said polygonal container further includes: lid means for covering the opening at the top of the enclosure formed by said rectangular side panels, said lid means having a lid aperture disposed suf¬ ficiently near a proximate polygonal side of said polygonal container for manually grasping and handling said lid means and thereby said polygonal container; and handle grip reinforcement means hingedly connected at the proximal portion thereof to the top edge of the rectangular side panel forming said proximate 5 polygonal side and projecting laterally across said opening to a position adjacent said lid aperture whereby said handle grip reinforcement means is manually graspable in handling said polygonal con¬ tainer. Q

23. The polygonal container of claim 22 wherein said proximate rectangular side panel includes horizontal slot means disposed near said hinged connection between said han¬ dle grip reinforcement means and said proximate rectangular side panel and handle grip reinforcement means comprises a 5 grip member reflexively foldable at a central portion thereof and containing at the distal portion thereof a mating tab for locking engagement with said horizontal slot means.

24. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said polygonal container further comprises a lid assembly therefor Q hingedly connected to one said rectangular side panel at the top edge thereof, said lid assembly comprising: a polygonal top panel of sufficient size and shape to cover the opening at the top of the enclosure formed by said polygonal container, said top panel 5 hingedly connected at a first lid polygonal side thereof to the top edge of one said rectangular side panel to form an attached polygonal side; a plurality of lid side panels, being one less in number than the number of polygonal sides of said 0 polygonal container, and each of which is hingedly connected to a polygonal side of said polygonal top panel, each said lid side panel disposable downwardly when in assembled configuration into contacting relationship with the top portion of the corresponding rectangular side panels of said container sides assembly to close the opening at the top of said enclosure formed by said container sides assembly, each said lid side panel having opposed side edges, a pair of said lid side panels being connected to second and third said lid poly- gonal sides which said second and third lid poly¬ gonal sides are immediately adjacent said first lid. polygonal side, each of said second and third lid polygonal sides having a free side edge and an abut ting side edge, and the remainder of said lid side panels having two opposed abutting side edges when said lid side panels are disposed downwardly in said assembled configuration; a plurality of locking panels, being two less in num¬ ber than the number of polygonal sides of the poly- gonal container, each of which is hingedly connecte to an opposed side edge of a corresponding lid side panel, and each of which bears a locking protrusion thereon; and a plurality of securement panels, being three less in number than the number of sides of said polygonal container, each of which is hingedly connected at its proximal end to the distal end of one of said remainder of said lid side panels, and each said securement panel having a lock slit at the hinged connection with said corresponding lid side panel for mating engagement with said locking protrusion thereby to secure said lid in assembled configura¬ tion.

25. The polygonal container of claim 24 wherein said lid and said container sides assembly further include lid securement means for removably securing said assembled lid atop said assembled container sides assembly, said lid secure ment means comprising; a securement release access aperture disposed in at least one of said remainder of said lid side panels to form an apertured lid side panel;

OMP -33-

a lid securement flap hingedly disposed at the top edge of the rectangular side panel corresponding to each said apertured lid side panel, each said lid securement flap foldable outwardly and down- wardly for locking engagement with said correspond¬ ing securement panel distal edge, whereby when in assembled configuration said lid may be disposed over said top portion of said contianer sides assembly to slide over and lockingly engage said lid secure- ment flaps, and whereby said lid securement flaps may be pressed and disposed slightly inwardly through said secure¬ ment release access aperture thereby to disengage said lid securement flap from said securement panel distal edge for removing said cover.

26. The polygonal container of claim 1 further com¬ prising a polygonal lid for said polygonal container, said polygonal container having an opening at the top thereof and a selected number of sides defining the opening, said poly¬ gonal lid comprising: a polygonal top panel having a number of polygonal sides which number is the same as the number of sides of the polygonal container, said polygonal top panel being of such size and shape as to cor¬ respond substantially to the size and shape of the opening at the top of the polygonal container; a plurality of lid side panels being the same in num¬ ber as the number of sides of the polygonal con¬ tainer, each said lid side panel having oppositely disposed upper and lower edges and opposed side edges, and each said lid side panel being hingedly connected at the proximal edge thereof to a poly¬ gonal side of said polygonal top panel, each said lid side panel being adapted for folded disposition downwardly substantially normal to said polygonal top panel to dispose adjacent said lid side panels in substantially contacting relationship at the opposed sides thereof when in such assembled dis- position; means for maintaining said opposed sides in said sub stantially contacting relationship and maintain¬ ing means including a securement panel hingedly connected to the distal edge.of each said lid side panel, each said securement panel reflexively fold able upwardly to dispose each said securement pane into intimate proximity to the interior surface of each, said lid side panel; and lid securement means for removably securing said polygonal top on said assembled container sides assembly, said lid securement means comprising: a securement release access aperture disposed in at least one of said lid side panels to form an apertured lid side panel; and a lid securement flap hingedly disposed at the top edge of the rectangular side panel corres¬ ponding to each said apertured lid side panel, each said lid securement flap foldable outward ly and downwardly for locking engagement with said corresponding securement panel distal edg whereby when in assembled configuration said lid may be disposed over said top portion of said container sides as sembly to slide over and lockingly engage said lid secure- ment flaps, and whereby said lid securement flaps may be pressed and disposed slightly inwardly through said secure¬ ment release access aperture thereby to disengage said lid securement flap from said securement panel distal edge for removing said cover.

27. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said lower edge flaps and said corresponding and engaging ear members are equal in number.

28. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein the number of said rectangular side panels is even and greater than two.

29. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein the number of said rectangular side panels is odd and greater than one.

30. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein at least one of said lower edge flaps of said container sides assembly is separated from an adjacent lower edge flap by a slit extending from the lower extremity of said container sides assembly to the said corresponding rectangular side panel, whereby said lower edge flaps are more easily folded upwardly for engagement with said ear members of said con¬ tainer bottom assembly.

31. The polygonal container of claim 30 wherein said slits separating said lower edge flaps from each other extend from said lower extremity of said container sides assembly to a point disposed between two adjacent rectangular side panels to permit folding of each lower edge flap upwardly to correspond to each individual rectangular side panel of said container sides assembly.

32. The polygonal container of claim 30 where said slits separating said lower flaps from each other extend from said lower extremity of said container sides assembly to a point on a single rectangular side paenl to permit engagement of a single ear member of said container bottom assembly with two adjacent lower edge flaps, whereby the strength and sta- bility of the engagement between said container bottom assem¬ bly and said container sides assembly of the polygonal con¬ tainer is enhanced.

33. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said container sides assembly is foldably formed from a unitary blank of relatively rigid, but foldable, material and one said panel of said container sides assembly has an edge with a longitudinally extending side flap hingedly disposed there¬ from, with the panel disposed at the opposite side of said blank having a free edge for receiving said longitudinally extending side flap, thereby to form an enclosure by means of said rectangular side panels.

34. The polygonal container of claim 1 further com¬ prising a foldable cap assembly for covering the opening at the top of the enclosure formed by the polygonal container, said cap assembly comprising: at least one polygonal cover panel hingedly attached at a first polygonal side thereof to the top edge of a first rectangular side panel and foldable generally normal thereto for covering the top open¬ ing of the polygonal container; and a polygonal cover panel hinge foldably attached at a second polygonal side thereof, which second poly¬ gonal side is adjacent said first polygonal side, said polygonal cover panel hinge also foldably at¬ tached to the top edge of a second rectangular side panel, which second rectangular side panel is ad¬ jacent to said first rectangular side panel, said polygonal cover panel hinge being wedge-shaped to span the angle between said second polygonal side of said polygonal cover panel and between said top edge of said second rectangular side panel, said angle being generally bisected by a fold line, whereby when said polygonal cover panel is disposed normal to said first rectangular side panel said second polygonal side of said polygonal cover panel is disposed onto said top edge of said sec¬ ond rectangular side panel to cover the opening at the top of the enclosure formed by the polygonal container.

35. The polygonal container of claim 34 wherein at least two polygonal cover panels and accompanying polygonal coyer panel hinges are provided for overlapping disposition when said polygonal cover panels are folded into said normal disposition with respect to the corresponding rectangular side panels.

36. The polygonal container of claim 35 wherein said polygonal cover panels are attached to rectangular side panel which are separated by two intervening rectangular side panel

OMPΓ

37. The polygonal container of claim 34 further in¬ cluding at least one supplemental cover panel which is of lesser size than said polygonal cover panels and which is hingedly connected to a top edge of said rectangular side panel and foldable into normal disposition with regard to its respective rectangular side panel, whereby said polygonal cover panels are further supported in covering said enclosure opening.