Composite paperboard containers of optimized axial strength construction

A composite paperboard container body comprising:

• a body wall formed of a single structural paperboard ply or two superimposed structural paperboard plies wherein at least one structural paperboard ply is a composite paperboard ply formed of at least two paperboard layers of different compression strengths, and wherein said body wall has a total wall thickness of less than about 0.060 inch and an axial crush strength of about 100 pounds or greater;
• wherein said ply or plies forming the body wall are arranged to comprise at least two high compression strength paperboard layers positioned respectively at exterior and interior portions of the container body wall, and one or more lower compression strength paperboard layers positioned in a central portion of the body wall between the high strength paperboard layers;
• and
• wherein the strength of the high strength paperboard layers forming the outermost and innermost surfaces of the paperboard body wall are such that the compression strength of the composite paperboard ply exceeds the compression strength of the lower strength paperboard layer thereof by at least about 20%.