Method for forming a container

A method for forming a container from (i) a main blank having at least two side panels with side flaps and a bottom panel with bottom flaps, and (ii) two support blanks, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) first, engaging said support blanks on first opposing sides of a mandrel movable along a path inside a machine by placing said support blanks on said opposite sides of said mandrel by a hopper and bending each of said support blanks against adjacent sides of said mandrel;
• b) then, engaging said bottom panel on a front of said mandrel by placing said bottom panel in the path of said mandrel moving in a forward direction by a feeder, wherein forward edges of said support blanks are aligned against an inside surface of said bottom panel;
• c) then, bending said side panels against second opposing sides of said mandrel with at least two plows as said mandrel travels forward on said path, wherein said second opposing sides of said mandrel are generally perpendicular to said first opposing sides of said mandrel;
• d) then, bending said side flaps against said support blanks by extending a plurality of retractable members to contact outside surfaces of said side flaps and further extending said retractable members in a direction towards said support blanks;
• and
• e) then, while maintaining said retractable members in an extended position, folding said bottom flaps over said side flaps and compressing said bottom flaps, said side flaps, and said support blanks.

A method for forming a container from (i) a main blank having at least two side panels each having at least two side flaps and a bottom panel having at least two bottom flaps and (ii) at least two side support blanks having a main panel and at least two flaps, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) first, bending said flaps of said side support blanks at angles of between about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees;
• b) then, aligning edges of said side support blanks against an inside surface of said bottom panel of said main blank;
• c) then, bending said side panels of said main blank at angles of between about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees, wherein inside surfaces of said side panels are flush against outside surfaces of said flaps of said side support blanks;
• d) then, bending said side flaps of said main blank at angles of between about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees, wherein inside surfaces of said side flaps are flush against outside surfaces of said main panels of said side support blanks;
• e) then, bending said bottom flaps of said main blank at angles of between about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees, wherein inside surfaces of said bottom flaps are flush against outside surfaces of said side flaps of said main blank.

A method of forming a container from (i) a main blank having at least two side panels each having at least two side flaps and a bottom panel having at least two bottom flaps and (ii) at least two side support blanks having a main panel and at least two flaps, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) first, bending said flaps of said support blanks and said side panels of said main blank such that inside surfaces of said side panels of said main blank are flush against outside surfaces of said flaps of said support blanks;
• b) then, bending said side flaps of said side panels such that inside surfaces of said side flaps of said side panels are flush against outside surfaces of said main panels of said support blanks;
• and
• c) then, bending said bottom flaps of said bottom panel such that inside surfaces of said bottom flaps are flush against outside surfaces of said side flaps and outside surfaces of said main panels of said support blanks.