Corner post/edge protector having improved column compressive strength-shaped board

A corner post structure for use in connection with corner and edge regions of packages and containers in order to provide enhanced storage space compactness in connection with the disposition and storage of packages and containers within cargo hold and storage facilities, comprising:

• an apex portion adapted to be disposed around a corner region of a container when said structure is disposed adjacent to the corner region of the container, having a substantially arcuate configuration disposed around an axis and extending over an angular extent of approximately 270 degrees, and having a pair of outer surface portions and a pair of inner surface portions;
• a pair of leg members disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to each other and adapted to engage side portions of a container when said structure is secured about the container, each one of said pair of leg members comprising an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion;
• and
• reversely-bent, substantially U-shaped transitional regions integrally interconnecting together said apex portion and said pair of leg members such that said outer surface portions of said leg members are disposed substantially parallel to and coplanar with a respective one of said outer surface portions of said apex portion, and said inner surface portions of said leg members are disposed substantially parallel to and coplanar with a respective one of said inner surface portions of said apex portion;
• said reversely-bent, substantially U-shaped transitional regions define concave outer/convex inner axially extending strengthening rib means for enhancing columnar compressive strength characteristics of said corner post structure in connection with multiple layers and tiers of stacked packages and containers;
• and
• said convexly configured inner surface portion of each one of said transitional regions is offset a predetermined distance with respect to said inner surface portion of a respective one of said pair of leg members such that when said corner post structure is secured about the container, each one of said convexly configured inner surface portions of said transitional regions will engage a side portion of the container and define a fulcrum portion about which a respective one of said leg members will be flexibly moved toward a side portion of the container such that an inner surface portion of a terminal end portion of each leg member will engage the side portion of the container,
• whereby compactness of said corner post structure is achieved while said apex portion is disposed around the corner region of the container and said leg members are engaged with side portions of the container.