초록 ▼

Containers having weakened regions in one or more corners to prevent or inhibit container damage and related methods. In some embodiments, the container may comprise a bottom wall and one or more bottom wall corners defined in part by the bottom wall. Weakened regions or crumple zones may be positio

Containers having weakened regions in one or more corners to prevent or inhibit container damage and related methods. In some embodiments, the container may comprise a bottom wall and one or more bottom wall corners defined in part by the bottom wall. Weakened regions or crumple zones may be positioned about one or more such corners. In some embodiments, the weakened region(s) may comprise weakened line(s) circumscribing the bottom wall corner(s) that may be configured to deform and absorb drop forces resulting from the container being dropped to reduce the possibility of the drop forces tearing the container.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A sheet for folding into a container, comprising: a first side panel;a second side panel positioned adjacent to the first side panel;a third side panel positioned adjacent to the first side panel opposite from the second side panel;a first bottom panel positioned adjacent to the first side panel

1. A sheet for folding into a container, comprising: a first side panel;a second side panel positioned adjacent to the first side panel;a third side panel positioned adjacent to the first side panel opposite from the second side panel;a first bottom panel positioned adjacent to the first side panel and configured to be folded with respect to the first side panel during a folding process for folding the sheet into a three-dimensional container so as to at least partially define a bottom wall of the container;a first fold line extending between the first side panel and the first bottom panel;a first plurality of weakened lines positioned on the first side panel and extending at an acute angle between the first fold line and the second side panel;a second plurality of weakened lines positioned on the first side panel opposite from the first plurality of weakened lines and extending at an acute angle between the first fold line and the third side panel;a third plurality of weakened lines positioned on the first bottom panel and extending at an acute angle between the first fold line and a first peripheral edge of the first bottom panel; anda fourth plurality of weakened lines positioned on the first bottom panel opposite from the third plurality of weakened lines and extending at an acute angle between the first fold line and a second peripheral edge of the first bottom panel opposite from the first peripheral edge. 2. The sheet of claim 1, further comprising: a second bottom panel positioned adjacent to the second side panel;a third bottom panel positioned adjacent to the third side panel;a second fold line extending between the second side panel and the second bottom panel;a third fold line extending between the third side panel and the third bottom panel;a fifth plurality of weakened lines positioned on the second side panel and extending at an acute angle between the second fold line and the first side panel;a sixth plurality of weakened lines positioned on the second bottom panel and extending at an acute angle between the second fold line and the first peripheral edge;a seventh plurality of weakened lines positioned on the third side panel and extending at an acute angle between the third fold line and the first side panel; andan eighth plurality of weakened lines positioned on the third bottom panel and extending between the third fold line and the second peripheral edge. 3. The sheet of claim 2, wherein the first plurality of weakened lines at least substantially aligns with the fifth plurality of weakened lines, wherein the fifth plurality of weakened lines at least substantially aligns with the sixth plurality of weakened lines, wherein the sixth plurality of weakened lines at least substantially aligns with the third plurality of weakened lines, and wherein the third plurality of weakened lines at least substantially aligns with the first plurality of weakened lines. 4. The sheet of claim 3, wherein the first, third, fifth, and sixth plurality of weakened lines circumscribe a corner of the sheet defined by the first side panel, the second side panel, the first bottom panel, and the second bottom panel. 5. The sheet of claim 4, wherein the first, third, fifth, and sixth plurality of weakened lines together define a rectangular shape circumscribing the corner of the sheet. 6. The sheet of claim 5, wherein the rectangular shape comprises a square. 7. The sheet of claim 1, wherein the weakened lines comprise creases formed in the sheet. 8. A container, comprising: a bottom wall; anda plurality of side walls, wherein each of the plurality of side walls is positioned adjacent to the bottom wall so as to define four bottom corners,wherein at least one of the four bottom corners comprises a weakened region comprising a plurality of weakened lines at least substantially encircling the at least one of the four bottom corners along the bottom wall and along two adjacent side walls, andwherein the weakened region is configured to deform and absorb drop forces resulting from the container being dropped to reduce the possibility of the drop forces tearing the container. 9. The container of claim 8, wherein the weakened lines comprise creases. 10. The container of claim 8, wherein the weakened lines are positioned to extend at least substantially parallel to each other. 11. The container of claim 10, wherein the weakened lines are spaced apart from each other by a distance of between about 0.5 inches and about 0.8 inches. 12. The container of claim 8, wherein the weakened lines extend from adjacent edges of the at least one of the four bottom corners at an acute angle ranging from between about 25 degrees and about 65 degrees. 13. The container of claim 12, wherein the weakened lines extend from adjacent edges of the at least one of the four bottom corners at an angle of about 45 degrees. 14. The container of claim 8, wherein each of the four bottom corners comprises a weakened region comprising a plurality of weakened lines encircling each bottom corner along the bottom wall and along two adjacent side walls such that each of the weakened regions is configured to deform and absorb drop forces resulting from the container being dropped to reduce the possibility of the drop forces tearing the container. 15. The container of claim 14, further comprising: a top wall, wherein each of the plurality of side walls is positioned adjacent to the top wall so as to define four top corners, wherein each of the four top corners comprises a weakened region comprising a plurality of weakened lines encircling the at least one of the four top corners along the top wall and along two adjacent side walls, and wherein each of the weakened regions is configured to deform and absorb drop forces resulting from the container being dropped to reduce the possibility of the drop forces tearing the container. 16. A container, comprising: a bottom wall;a first bottom wall corner defined in part by the bottom wall; anda first weakened line circumscribing the first bottom wall corner without touching the first bottom wall corner, wherein the first weakened line is configured to deform and absorb drop forces resulting from the container being dropped to reduce the possibility of the drop forces tearing the container. 17. The container of claim 16, further comprising: a second bottom wall corner defined in part by the bottom wall;a second weakened line circumscribing the second bottom wall corner;a third bottom wall corner defined in part by the bottom wall;a third weakened line circumscribing the third bottom wall corner;a fourth bottom wall corner defined in part by the bottom wall; anda fourth weakened line circumscribing the fourth bottom wall corner. 18. The container of claim 16, further comprising a second weakened line circumscribing the first bottom wall corner. 19. The container of claim 18, wherein the second weakened line is at least substantially parallel to the first weakened line, and wherein the second weakened line is spaced from the first weakened line by a distance of between about 0.5 inches and about 0.8 inches. 20. The container of claim 16, wherein the first weakened line extends from adjacent edges of the first bottom wall corner at acute angles ranging from between about 25 degrees and about 65 degrees.