Patent Description:
Boxes and other containers used for the storage, transportation and shipping of items may be made in a variety of configurations.

Unfortunately, existing containers suffer from a number of drawbacks. In some cases, the container may not be properly shaped or configured to hold the items received inside the container. This may be particularly important in cases where the items are relatively fragile, such as glass bottles or ceramic plates. In this case, movement of the items inside the container relative to each other or relative to the sides of the contains may damage the items during transport.

Existing containers may also include materials such as plastics or the like that are difficult or impossible to recycle or compost, which will lead to unnecessary waste and pollution when discarded.

In some cases, standard rectangular cardboard boxes may used to store and transport the items. However, when the container is used to store and transport luxury items such as wine bottles or the like, a standard rectangular cardboard box may not be able to provide the aesthetics that could be expected from a container holding such luxury items.

<CIT> discloses a container device and packaging method for the protective packaging of dished articles and in particular articles of chinaware and the like. More particularly the invention relates to the packaging of dished articles in stacked relationship utilizing a plurality of container components which cooperate with each other and with the packaged articles to define the shape and contour of a filled package while supporting the packaged articles in positions individually isolated from each other and from peripheral portions of said container.

<CIT> discloses a new and useful improvement in boxes for packing rings or analogous articles, particularly boxes or cartons in which rings may be packed in bulk. In packing rings and like articles, it is desirable that, they be separated into bunches or series of a given number of rings in such manner that they can be easily and expeditiously removed from the packing-box in predetermined numbers without disturbing what remain and counted in bulk.

German patent <CIT> discloses a fiber drum with a cylindrical sleeve wound from kraft paper, the open ends of which are firmly closed on one side by a glued-in cardboard rim, while on the other end, which serves as a filling opening, a detachable lid is fitted, the rim of which, glued onto a cardboard rim, overlaps the sleeve.

According to one aspect, there is provided a cylindrical cardboard container as defined in claim <NUM>. In at least one embodiment, the at least one item receiving recess includes a plurality of item receiving recesses.

In at least one embodiment, the plurality of item receiving recesses includes three item receiving recesses disposed side-by-side with each other.

In at least one embodiment, each item receptacle includes a receptacle cavity and a plurality of separators extending in the receptacle cavity to divide the receptacle cavity into the plurality of item receiving recesses.

In at least one embodiment, each item receiving recess is sized and shaped to receive a bottle.

In at least one embodiment, each item receiving recess is sized and shaped to snuggly receive a standard <NUM> wine bottle.

In at least one embodiment, each item receiving recess has a recess width of between about <NUM> and <NUM>.

In at least one embodiment, the recess width is between about <NUM> and <NUM>.

In at least one embodiment, each item receiving recess has a recess length of between about <NUM> and <NUM>.

In at least one embodiment, the recess length is between about <NUM> and <NUM>.

In at least one embodiment, the cylindrical sidewall has a sidewall height corresponding to a multiple of a receptacle height of the item receptacle to allow the item receptacles to be stacked so as to substantially fill the receiving cavity.

In at least one embodiment, the receiving cavity is sized and shaped to receive from two to four item receptacles stacked over each other and filling the receiving cavity.

In at least one embodiment, the cylindrical sidewall is sized and shaped to receive two item receptacles stacked over each other and filling the receiving cavity.

In at least one embodiment, the cylindrical sidewall is sized and shaped to receive three item receptacles stacked over each other and filling the receiving cavity.

In at least one embodiment, the cylindrical sidewall is sized and shaped to receive four item receptacles stacked over each other and filling the receiving cavity.

In at least one embodiment, each item holder includes a protective mat disposable between two of the plurality of items stacked vertically to separate the two of the plurality of items from each other.

In at least one embodiment, the protective mat is substantially resilient.

In at least one embodiment, the protective mat is made from cardboard.

In at least one embodiment, the protective mat is substantially circular.

In at least one embodiment, the item holder extends across an entire transversal area of the receiving cavity to prevent lateral movement of the item holder received in the receiving cavity.

In at least one embodiment, the container further comprises a circular lid for selectively closing off the receiving cavity.

In at least one embodiment, the circular lid has a diameter that is slightly greater than a diameter of the cylindrical sidewall.

In at least one embodiment, the circular lid includes a top panel and a peripheral flange extending away from the top wall.

In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flange is at least slightly resilient.

In at least one embodiment, the circular lid further includes a closure mechanism selectively configurable in an open position in which the lid is removable from the cylindrical sidewall and a closed position in which the lid is prevented from moving relative to the cylindrical sidewall to thereby maintain the container closed.

In at least one embodiment, the closure mechanism includes a locking strap member extending around the peripheral flange and a latch member operatively connected to the locking strap member to allow the locking strap member to be selectively tightened around the peripheral flange.

In at least one embodiment, the locking strap member is made of metal.

In at least one embodiment, the container further comprises a pair of handles disposed at a diametrically opposite locations on the cylindrical sidewall.

In at least one embodiment, each handle includes a strap member having first and second strap ends secured to the cylindrical sidewall, proximal to each other, to form a loop.

In at least one embodiment, the container further includes a bottom edge overlapping member extending over at least a portion of the outer bottom wall edge and overlapping both the cylindrical sidewall and the circular bottom wall.

In at least one embodiment, the bottom edge overlapping member includes an annular angle member having a substantially L-shaped cross-section.

In at least one embodiment, the annular angle member extends substantially continuously along an entirety of the outer bottom wall edge.

According to another aspect, there is also provide a cylindrical cardboard container comprising: a circular bottom wall having an outer bottom wall edge; a cylindrical sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall edge, the circular bottom wall and the cylindrical sidewall delimiting a receiving cavity sized and shaped to receive a plurality of items; a plurality of item receptacles, each item receptacle including at least one item receiving recess sized and shaped for snuggly receiving and holding at least one of the plurality of items, the item receptacles being stackable to form a plurality of item layers within the receiving cavity.

It will be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements or steps. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way but rather as merely describing the implementation of the various embodiments described herein.

For the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several references numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features, and references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features of the present disclosure which are illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are optional, and are given for exemplification purposes only.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that positional descriptions such as "above", "below", "top", "bottom", "forward", "rearward" "left", "right" and the like should, unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures and correspond to the position and orientation in the cylindrical cardboard container and corresponding parts when being used. Positional descriptions should not be considered limiting.

Referring now to <FIG> to <NUM>, there is shown a cylindrical cardboard container <NUM>, in accordance with one embodiment. The container <NUM> may be used for the storage and/or transportation of a plurality of items. More specifically, the container <NUM> is configured to hold the items so as to prevent the items from moving relative to each other inside the container <NUM>, as will be further explained below. The container <NUM> is therefore particularly well adapted for the storage and/or transport of relatively fragile items such as glass bottles, ceramic plates or the like.

The container <NUM> includes a circular bottom wall <NUM> and a cylindrical sidewall <NUM> extending upwardly from the bottom wall <NUM>. Specifically, the bottom wall <NUM> has a circular outer bottom wall edge <NUM>, and the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> has a lower sidewall end <NUM> connected to the circular outer bottom wall edge <NUM> and an upper sidewall end <NUM> opposite the lower sidewall end <NUM>. The bottom wall <NUM> and the sidewall <NUM> delimit a receiving cavity <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, sized and shaped to receive the plurality of items.

In some embodiments, the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> could have a diameter of between about <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, in one embodiment, the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> could have a diameter of about <NUM>. In another embodiment, the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> could have a diameter of about <NUM>. In yet another embodiment, the container <NUM> could have a diameter of about <NUM>. Alternatively, the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> may have any other suitable diameter, which could be selected based on the number, size, shape and/or configuration of items to be received in the container <NUM> or based on any other relevant factor.

In the illustrated embodiment, the container <NUM> further includes a lid <NUM> for selectively closing off the container <NUM>. Specifically, the lid <NUM> includes a top panel <NUM> and a peripheral flange <NUM> extending away from the top panel <NUM>. The top panel <NUM> is substantially circular and has a diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> such that when the lid <NUM> is placed on the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> to close off the container <NUM>, the upper sidewall end <NUM> of the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> abuts the top panel <NUM> and the peripheral flange <NUM> extends concentrically around the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>. Alternatively, the upper sidewall end <NUM> of the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> may not abut the top panel <NUM> and may instead be spaced from the top panel <NUM>. In this embodiment, the upper sidewall end <NUM> could instead be abuttable with one or more protruding element extending inwardly and substantially radially from an inner face of the peripheral flange <NUM>, or the peripheral flange <NUM> could abut one or more protruding element extending outwardly and substantially radially from an outer face of the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>, proximal to the upper sidewall end <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral flange <NUM> is further at least slightly resilient such that a certain amount of pressure applied on the peripheral flange <NUM> in a substantially radial direction towards the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> causes the peripheral flange <NUM> to abut the sidewall <NUM>, as will be further discussed below. Alternatively, instead of the peripheral flange <NUM> being resilient, the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> could be resilient, or both the peripheral flange <NUM> and the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> could be resilient. In yet another embodiment, the peripheral flange <NUM> and the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> may not be resilient and the peripheral flange <NUM> may instead be sized and shaped for a substantially precise fit with the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lid <NUM> further includes a closure mechanism <NUM> which is selectively configurable in an open position in which the lid <NUM> is removable from the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> and a closed position in which the lid <NUM> is prevented from moving relative to the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> to thereby maintain the container <NUM> closed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the closure mechanism <NUM> includes a locking strap member <NUM> extending around the peripheral flange <NUM> and a latch member <NUM> operatively connected to the locking strap member <NUM>. The latch member <NUM> is configured to be manually activated by the user to selectively tighten the locking strap member <NUM> around the peripheral flange <NUM>. As explained above, in this embodiment, the peripheral flange <NUM> is at least slightly resilient such that tightening the locking strap member <NUM> will cause the peripheral flange <NUM> to abut the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>. More specifically, the latch member <NUM> is configured to tighten the locking strap member <NUM> with a predetermined force which creates sufficient friction between the peripheral flange <NUM> and the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> to prevent removal of the lid <NUM> from the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> further includes an upper lip <NUM>, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, which extends radially outwardly from the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> at the upper sidewall end <NUM> thereof. The locking strap member <NUM> is further positioned on the peripheral flange <NUM> so as to be substantially aligned with the upper lip <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is received on the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>. In this configuration, when the locking strap member <NUM> is tightened, in addition to the friction created by the peripheral flange <NUM> on the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>, the upper lip <NUM> would create interference with the peripheral flange <NUM> to further prevent the lid <NUM> from being moved upwardly and away from the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>. Alternatively, the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> may not comprise an upper lip <NUM> and the closure mechanism <NUM> may rely only on the friction between the peripheral flange <NUM> and the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> to maintain the lid <NUM> on the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> when in closed position.

The locking strap member <NUM> may be made of metal such as aluminum, steel or the like. Alternatively, the locking strap member <NUM> could be made of fabric, rubber, plastic, paper product, or any other material which would allow the locking strap member <NUM> to be substantially flexible so as to be positionable in a loop configuration around the peripheral flange <NUM> and be tightenable therearound.

In one embodiment, the latch member <NUM> could include a draw latch configured to create tension in the locking strap member <NUM> when closed and release tension from the locking strap member <NUM> when open, or could include any other suitable type of latch member. In some embodiments, the closure mechanism <NUM> may not include a locking strap member <NUM> and a latch member <NUM> and could instead include any suitable type of closure mechanism movable between a first position in which the lid <NUM> is substantially retained on the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> and a second position in which the lid <NUM> is substantially free from the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> and can be removed by a user. In yet another embodiment, the lid <NUM> may not include any closure mechanism.

The container <NUM> may further include a pair of handles <NUM> for facilitating the manipulation of the container <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the handles <NUM> are located on the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> and are disposed diametrically opposite each other. Still in the illustrated embodiment, each handle <NUM> includes a strap member <NUM> having first and second strap ends <NUM>, <NUM> secured to the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>, proximal to each other, to form a loop through which the user may insert his fingers or part of his hand. The strap member <NUM> could be made of a flexible material such as fabric, a plastic, cardboard or any other suitable substantially flexible material. Alternatively, the handles <NUM> could be made of a substantially rigid material and could be fixedly secured to the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> so as to prevent movement of the handles <NUM> relative to the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>, or could be hingeably connected to the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> to allow at least some movement of the handles <NUM> relative to the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>. In yet another embodiment, the handles <NUM> could instead include openings in the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> which are each sized and shaped to receive fingers or part of a user's hand, or have any other configuration suitable for the manipulation of the container <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the container <NUM> further includes a bottom edge overlapping member <NUM> extending over at least a portion of the bottom wall edge <NUM> and overlapping both the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> and the bottom wall <NUM> proximal to the bottom wall edge <NUM>. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the bottom edge overlapping member <NUM> includes an annular angle member <NUM> extending over the outer bottom wall edge <NUM> and overlapping both the bottom wall <NUM> and the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>. Specifically, the annular angle member <NUM> has a substantially L-shaped cross-section and includes an upper portion <NUM> extending along the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> and a lower portion <NUM> extending along the bottom wall <NUM>. In one embodiment, the annular angle member <NUM> is provided for connecting the bottom wall <NUM> to the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>. More specifically, in this embodiment, the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> is made from a first piece of sheet material which has been adequately curved and the bottom wall <NUM> is made from a second piece of sheet material which has been cut or otherwise formed into the circular bottom wall <NUM>. In this embodiment, the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> may be secured to the upper portion <NUM> of the annular angle member <NUM> and the bottom wall <NUM> may be secured to the lower portion <NUM> of the annular angle member <NUM>, using an appropriate securing technique such as gluing or the like. Alternatively, the bottom wall <NUM> and the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> may be directly secured to each other or be secured using other means that do not involve the annular angle member <NUM>. In this embodiment, the annular angle member <NUM> may merely serve to protect the interface between the bottom wall <NUM> and the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> and to reinforce this portion of the container <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the annular angle member <NUM> may further act as a base such that when the container <NUM> is placed on a receiving surface, the annular angle member <NUM> rests on the receiving surface instead of the bottom wall <NUM>. In this embodiment, the annular angle member <NUM>, which has a certain thickness, will cause the bottom wall <NUM> to be slightly spaced away from the receiving surface, thereby protecting the bottom wall <NUM> from potential damage from contacting the receiving surface. It will be further understood that this feature may be particularly useful when the container <NUM> is stacked with other similar containers. In this case, the annular angle member <NUM> of each container <NUM> rest on a rim portion of the lid <NUM> of the container immediately below. The full weight of the containers will therefore be supported by the annular angle members <NUM> and transmitted vertically through the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>, rather than being supported by the central portion of the bottom wall <NUM> and the lid <NUM>. This may therefore help prevent damage to the stacked containers.

In the illustrated embodiment, the annular angle member <NUM> extends substantially continuously along the entire bottom wall edge <NUM>. Alternatively, the bottom edge overlapping member <NUM> could include a plurality of angle member segments that would be spaced from each other along the bottom wall edge <NUM>. In one embodiment, the annular angle member <NUM> is made from a paper product such as cardboard. In some embodiments, the annular angle member <NUM> may be configured to be substantially more rigid than the bottom wall <NUM> and the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>. Specifically, the annular angle member <NUM> may be made from the same cardboard as the bottom wall <NUM> and the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> but may be folded so as to be substantially thicker than the bottom wall <NUM> and the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>. In another embodiment, the annular angle member <NUM> may be made from a thicker cardboard or from a heavier cardboard than the bottom wall <NUM> and the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>. In yet another embodiment, the annular angle member <NUM> could instead be made from metal, a plastic, or any other suitable material.

Turning now to <FIG>, the container <NUM> further includes a plurality of item holders <NUM> which are configured for holding the items relative to each other inside the receiving cavity <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the items are bottles, and more specifically wine bottles <NUM>, and each item holder <NUM> is an item receptacle <NUM> which is configured for receiving at least one item.

It will be understood that the term "wine bottle" used herein refers to items having the general shape and configuration of a wine bottle but is not limited to bottles containing wine. For example, the bottles could instead contain champagne or any other alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage. In other embodiments, instead of bottles, the items could include any other item which would be suitable for transportation and storage in the container <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the item receptacle <NUM> includes an upper planar portion <NUM> and first, second and third item receiving recesses 604a, 604b, 604c which extend downwardly from the upper planar portion <NUM>. Each item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c is substantially rectangular and elongated, and extends along a longitudinal axis A. The item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c are disposed side-by-side, adjacent each other, such that the longitudinal axes A of all three receiving recesses 604a, 604b, 604c extend substantially parallel to each other.

In the illustrated embodiment, each item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c is sized and shaped to snuggly receive one of the items, i.e. one of the wine bottles <NUM> in the present embodiment. This prevents the wine bottle <NUM> from moving within the item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c. In the illustrated embodiment, the item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c is sized and shaped to receive a standard <NUM> wine bottle. In this embodiment, the item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c therefore has a recess width W corresponding to a width of a standard <NUM> wine bottle and a recess length L corresponding to a length of a standard <NUM> wine bottle. Specifically, each item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c may have a recess width W of between about <NUM> and <NUM>, and more specifically of between about <NUM> and <NUM>. In one embodiment, each item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c may have a recess length L of between about <NUM> and <NUM>, and more specifically of between about <NUM> and <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c further has a depth corresponding to a depth of a standard <NUM> wine bottle (which corresponds to the width of the standard <NUM> wine bottle since the standard <NUM> wine bottle is substantially cylindrical). Therefore, the item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c may have a depth of between about <NUM> and <NUM>, and more specifically of between about <NUM> and <NUM>. In one embodiment, the item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c could have a depth which is less than the depth of a standard <NUM> wine bottle. In this embodiment, the wine bottle <NUM> would extend slightly above the upper planar portion <NUM> when received in the item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c.

Alternatively, the item receiving recesses 604a, 604b, 604c could be sized and shaped differently to receive bottles having other formats (e.g. standard <NUM> wine bottles) or any other item that is to be stored and/or transported in the container <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the item receiving recesses 604a, 604b, 604c may not be sized and shaped to snuggly receive one of the items, but could instead be substantially larger than the item to accommodate packaging or padding material around the item to protect the item when received in the corresponding recess.

Still in the illustrated embodiment, the upper planar portion <NUM> is sized and shaped to be received snuggly in the receiving cavity <NUM>. Specifically, the upper planar portion <NUM> has a diameter which is substantially equal to the diameter of the receiving cavity <NUM>. Therefore, the item receptacle <NUM> is prevented from moving laterally within the receiving cavity <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the item receptacle <NUM> may be formed using a blank of sheet material which is suitably cut and folded so as to form four planar pieces 606a, 606b, 606c, 606d shaped as circular segments, together defining the upper planar portion <NUM>, and a single, rectangular receptacle cavity <NUM> extending between the four planar pieces 606a. The receptacle cavity <NUM> is delimited laterally by first and second side walls 610a, 610b and a pair of end walls 612a, 612b extending perpendicularly to the side walls 610a, 610b. In this embodiment, the item receptacle <NUM> further includes first and second vertical separators 614a, 614b which extend into the receptacle cavity <NUM> between the end walls 612a, 612b and substantially parallel to the side walls 610a, 610b. The vertical separators 614a, 614b are spaced from each other and from the side walls 610a, 610b to define the item receiving recesses 604a, 604b, 604c therebetween. More specifically, the first vertical separator 614a is spaced from the first side wall 610a to form the first item receiving recess 604a, the first and second vertical separators 614a, 614b are spaced from each other to form the second item receiving recess 604b and the second vertical separator 614b is spaced from the second side wall 610b to form the third item receiving recess 604c.

In this embodiment, the width W of each item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c is defined by a distance between the first side wall 610a and the first vertical separator 614a and/or by a distance between the first and second vertical separators 614a, 614b and/or by a distance between the second vertical separator 614b and the second side wall 610b. Still in this embodiment, the length L of the item receiving recesses 604a, 604b, 604c is defined by a distance between the end walls 612a, 612b.

In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical separators 614a, 614b are substantially evenly spaced from each other and from the side walls 610a, 610b such that the all the item receiving recesses 604a, 604b, 604c have a same width W. Alternatively, the vertical separators 614a, 614b could be spaced from each other and/or from the side walls 610a, 610b by different distances such that the such that item receiving recesses 604a, 604b, 604c have different widths.

In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical separators 614a, 614b are separate from the rest of the item receptacle <NUM>. Specifically, the vertical separators 614a, 614b are formed from one or more additional blank sheets of material and are received in the receptacle cavity <NUM> once the receptacle cavity <NUM> has been formed in the blank sheet of material. In one embodiment, each separator 614a, 614b may be folded towards its ends to define one or more end flanges which could be secured to the end walls 612a, 612b or at least extend against the end walls 612a, 612b to facilitate the positioning of the separator 614a, 614b. In another embodiment, instead of being separate from the rest of the item receptacle <NUM>, the vertical separators 614a, 614b could be formed in the same blank sheet of material used to form the receptacle cavity <NUM>.

In yet another embodiment, instead of including two vertical separators 614a, 614b defining three item receiving recesses 604a, 604b, 604c, the item receptacle <NUM> could include more or less than two vertical separators 614a, 614b defining more or less than three item receiving recesses 604a, 604b, 604c. For example, the item receptacle <NUM> could include one or two item receiving recesses, or could include more than three item receiving recesses.

In still another embodiment, the item receptacle <NUM> could further include one or more transversal separators extending transversally to the vertical separators 614a, 614b and substantially parallel to the end walls 612a, 612b to divide each item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c into one or more sub-recesses which can be sized and shaped according to items to be received therein. The transversal separators could extend along an entire width of the receptacle cavity <NUM> between the side walls 610a, 610b or each item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c could include transversal separators that are distinct from the transversal separators extending in the other item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c.

The receptacle cavity <NUM> is further delimited by a bottom panel <NUM> which supports the bottles <NUM> received in the item receiving recesses 604a, 604b, 604c. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom panel <NUM> is substantially rectangular and extends between the side walls 610a, 610b and the end walls 612a, 612b. Still in the illustrated embodiment, the bottom panel <NUM> is further substantially planar and extends substantially parallel to the upper planar portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the bottom panel <NUM> may not be planar and may instead be substantially concavely curved under each item receiving recess 604a, 604b, 604c to receive the bottles <NUM>, or have any other suitable shape and configuration.

In another embodiment, the item receptacle <NUM> may not be formed from a folded blank of sheet material and could instead be made according to various alternative configurations. For example, the item receptacle <NUM> could include a solid receptacle body, made from foam or any other similar substance, and the item receiving recesses 604a, 604b, 604c could be defined into the receptacle body.

The item receptacles <NUM> are further stackable with each other, thereby forming multiple item layers within the receiving cavity <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the container <NUM> is further configured such that the item receptacles <NUM> substantially fill the receiving cavity <NUM>, i.e. such that the upper planar portion <NUM> of the uppermost item receptacle <NUM> is substantially aligned with the upper sidewall end <NUM> of the cylindrical sidewall <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Specifically, the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> has a height which is a multiple of a height of the item receptacles <NUM>. For example, the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> may be sized to receive two, three or four item receptacles <NUM> stacked over each other to thereby define respectively two, three and four item layers within the receiving cavity <NUM>. In another embodiment, the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> could instead be sized to receive a single item receptacle <NUM>, or more than four item receptacles <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, all the item receptacles <NUM> include a same number of item receiving recesses. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, all the item receptacles <NUM> include three item receiving recesses. Alternatively, at least two of the item receptacles <NUM> could have a different number of item receiving recesses. For example, one of the item receptacles <NUM> could have three item receiving recesses while another one of the item receptacles <NUM> could have one or two item receptacles <NUM>. Still in the illustrated embodiment, the item receiving recesses of all the item receptacles <NUM> are substantially similarly shaped, sized and positioned but alternatively, the item receptacles <NUM> of one of the item receptacles <NUM> could be shaped, sized and/or positioned differently than the item receptacles <NUM> of another one of the item receptacles <NUM>.

In one embodiment, at least the bottom wall <NUM> and the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> are made of cardboard such as corrugated cardboard, liner cardboard, medium cardboard, kraft cardboard, and any other similar paper product. The term "cardboard" as used herein is not limited to paper or paper products of a particular density or grammage, and includes flexible, thick, pliable, and other appropriate paper products, of any suitable density or grammage. In one embodiment, the top panel <NUM> and the peripheral flange <NUM> of the lid <NUM> could further be made of cardboard.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a cylindrical cardboard container <NUM>', in accordance with an example. Similarly to the container <NUM> described above, the container <NUM>' includes the bottom wall <NUM> and the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> extending upwardly from the bottom wall <NUM> to define the receiving cavity <NUM>, which can be selectively closed off with the lid <NUM>.

The container <NUM>' further includes a plurality of item holders <NUM> for holding the items relative to each other inside the receiving cavity <NUM>. In this embodiment, the container <NUM>' is adapted to store and transport dishes or plates <NUM> rather than bottles. As shown in <FIG>, the container <NUM> is sized and shaped such that each plate <NUM> extend across an entire transverse area of the receiving cavity <NUM>. Specifically, the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> has a diameter which is substantially similar to the diameter of the plates <NUM>. This prevents lateral movement of the plates <NUM> within the receiving cavity <NUM>.

In this embodiment, each item holder <NUM> includes a protective mat <NUM> which can be disposed between two of the plates <NUM> stacked vertically to separate the two plates <NUM> from each other. A protective mat <NUM> could further be placed on top of the uppermost plate <NUM>' so as to be sandwiched between the uppermost plate <NUM>' and the lid <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is closed.

The protective mat <NUM> further extends across an entire transverse area of the receiving cavity <NUM>. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the protective mat <NUM> is substantially circular and has a diameter which is substantially similar to the diameter of the cylindrical sidewall <NUM> and of the plates <NUM>. This prevents the protective mat <NUM> from moving laterally and ensures that contact between the two adjacent plates is prevented across the entire area of the plates.

In one embodiment, the protective mat <NUM> is at least slightly resilient in a thicknesswise direction to cushion any movement of the plates <NUM> relative to each other or of the uppermost plate <NUM>' with the lid <NUM>. For example, each protective mat <NUM> could be made of cardboard which has been shaped to form a particular three-dimensional structure which provides resiliency to the protective mat <NUM>.

Specifically, the protective mat <NUM> may be made from new cardboard or used cardboard, and could be formed using a single, continuous cardboard sheet shaped appropriately using a dedicated mat manufacturing machine. Specifically, the protective mat <NUM> could include one or more perforations, and more specifically one or more elongated perforations or slits, which form strips of cardboard that are slightly curved to form a three-dimensional pattern.

In one embodiment, the protective mat <NUM> could be manufactured by creating the three-dimensional pattern in a rectangular cardboard sheet and then cutting the rectangular cardboard sheet in a circular shape to form the protective mat <NUM>. Alternatively, the rectangular cardboard sheet could first be cut in a circular shape and then the three-dimensional pattern could be created in the circular piece of carboard.

In another embodiment, the protective mat <NUM> could instead simply be made of a piece of corrugated carboard which has a sufficient thickness to provide a desirable level of resiliency. In other embodiments, the protective mat <NUM> could still be made of cardboard but have any other suitable alternative configuration.

Alternatively, the protective mat <NUM> may be made of any other material including fabric such as felt or the like, rubber, foam, or any other suitable material. The protective mat could further include a single layer of material or include a plurality of layers of material stacked over each other and secured together to form the protective mat <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are provided as examples only and that various other configurations and combinations may be considered. For example, the container <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> could further include one or more protective mats similar to the protective mat <NUM>. The protective mats would be placed between the item receptacles <NUM> and/or between the uppermost item receptacle <NUM> and the lid <NUM> to further protect the bottles from movement in the vertical direction and from contact with bottles from other item layers.

Claim 1:
A cylindrical cardboard container (<NUM>) comprising:
a circular bottom wall (<NUM>) having an outer bottom wall edge (<NUM>);
a cylindrical sidewall (<NUM>) extending upwardly from the bottom wall edge (<NUM>), the circular bottom wall and the cylindrical sidewall delimiting a receiving cavity (<NUM>) sized and shaped to receive a plurality of items, the receiving cavity having a receiving cavity diameter;
the cylindrical cardboard container (<NUM>) being characterized in that it comprises:
a plurality of item holders (<NUM>) for holding the items relative to each other within the receiving cavity, each item holder being configured for holding at least one of the items, the item holders being stackable to form a plurality of item layers within the receiving cavity
each item holder including an item receptacle configured for receiving and holding at least one of the plurality of items, each item receptacle (<NUM>) comprising an upper planar portion (<NUM>) and at least one item receiving recess (604a, 604b, 604c) extending downwardly from the upper planar portion.