Blank for making containers and container with top formed by curved surfaces

Claim 2

A container made from at least one sheet of folded material having a top formed by curved surfaces comprising a plurality of side panels, a plurality of outer top panels each of which extends upwardly from one of the side panels and has two curved edges defined by fold lines that converge to form a substantially pointed end, and a plurality of inner top panels each of which extends from a curved edge of an outer top panel, said inner top panels having innermost edges adjacent the innermost edges of adjacent inner top panels, the outer top panels being bent inwardly so that their respective pointed ends are brought together and each outer top panel forms a curved surface, and the inner top panels extending downwardly and inwardly toward the interior of the container thus defining indentations.

Claim 3

The container of claim 1, wherein the inner top panels are bent to form curved surfaces.

Claim 4

The container of claim 1, wherein there are four side panels and four outer top panels.

Claim 5

The container of claim 1, wherein there are four side panels, four outer top panels, and eight inner top panels.

Claim 6

The container of claim 1, wherein the lower edges of at least some inner top panels are divided from the lower edges of other inner top panels by fold lines.

Claim 7

The container of claim 1, wherein each outer top panel and the side panel to which it is attached form a continuous surface that is not interrupted by a fold line.

Claim 8

The container of claim 1 further comprising a means for securing the outer top panels in a curved orientation with their respective pointed ends brought together, said securing means being attached to two or more of the inner top panels.

Claim 9

The container of claim 7, wherein said securing means comprises two interlocking tabs that extend respectively from oppositely disposed inner top panel, each interlocking tab being folded to double its thickness and prevented from sliding past the other interlocking tab by its double thickness.

Claim 10

The container of claim 1, wherein the container is made from one integrally formed blank divided by fold lines.

Claim 11

A blank that can be folded to make a container comprising a plurality of side panels, a plurality of outer top panels each of which extends from one of the side panels and has two curved edges defined by fold lines that converge to form a substantially pointed end, a plurality of inner top panels each of which extends from a curved edge of an outer top panel, at least two tabs which extend from inner panels for securing the outer top panels in a curved orientation with their respective pointed ends brought together when the blank is folded to form a container, and at least some inner top panels being attached to other inner top panels that extend from different outer top panels, the attached inner top panels being divided from each other by fold lines, each panel being proportioned so that the outer top panels can be bent inwardly with their respective pointed ends brought together and the inner top panels can be folded downwardly toward the interior of the container to provide a top for the container formed by curved surfaces.

Claim 12

A blank that can be folded to make a container comprising a plurality of side panels, a plurality of outer top panels each of which extends from one of the side panels and has two curved edges defined by fold lines that converge to form a substantially pointed end, a plurality of inner top panels each of which extends from a curved edge of an outer top panel, at least two tabs which extend from inner panels for securing the outer top panels in a curved orientation with their respective pointed ends brought together when the blank is folded to form a container, and at least some inner top panels being attached to other inner top panels that extend from different outer top panels, the attached inner top panels being divided from each other by fold lines, each panel being proportioned so that the outer top panels can be bent inwardly with their respective pointed ends brought together and the inner top panels can be folded downwardly toward the interior of the container to provide a top for the container formed by curved surfaces.

Claim 13

The blank of claim 10 further comprising a series of perforations along the fold lines that separate the attached inner top panels.

Claim 14

The blank of claim 10, wherein there are four side panels, four outer top panels, and eight inner top panels.

Claim 15

The blank of claim 10, wherein each of said tabs is divided by a fold line so that it can be folded to double its thickness and is, thus prevented from sliding past the other tab when the blank is folded to form a container.