Abstract: According to one aspect, a non-roll end sleeve is configured to be disposed on a seamless cylindrical paper tube, said non-roll sleeve having a rectangular cross-section perpendicular to a central axis of the cylindrical paper tube when disposed on the cylindrical paper tube. According to another aspect, a container includes a seamless paper tube having at least one end provided with a shape in cross-section generally having N sides, where N is an integer selected from 3 to 8, which at least one end is closed by flaps of material between openings cut into the at least one end that have been folded inwardly and secured in place to form an end closure.

Abstract: Paper-based elongate structures suitable for use as lumber substitutes, articles of manufacture made thereof, kits of materials including such structures, and machines and methods for making the same. Elongate structures according to the invention include a hollow outer portion formed of corrugated fiberboard sheet material and an accordion-folded inner support formed of corrugated fiberboard sheet material. The hollow outer portion has four outer surfaces that define a rectangle when viewed in cross-section transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongate structure. The accordion-folded inner support is enclosed within the hollow outer portion. The inner support includes a plurality of first spaced-apart peaks that contact a first inner surface of the hollow outer portion and a plurality of second spaced-apart peaks that contact an opposing second inner surface of the hollow outer portion.

Abstract: A device that is reversibly foldable between a compact configuration and a container configuration. The device includes a top, a front panel, a left panel, a rear panel, a right panel, and a bottom. At least first and second support frames are fixed to exterior faces of the left and right panels. In some embodiments, the device includes a plurality of support beams affixed to flaps used form the top and bottom. Optionally, additional support beams are affixed to interior faces of the front and rear panels. The support beams and support frames cooperate to provide strength and support to the device. Devices according to the invention are stackable in both configurations. They are foldable into the compact configuration for shipping and storage, and are preferably made of substantially of corrugated fiberboard material, which makes them reusable and recyclable. Methods of using the devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Paper-based elongate structures suitable for use as lumber substitutes, articles of manufacture made thereof, kits of materials including such structures, and machines and methods for making the same. Elongate structures according to the invention include a hollow outer portion formed of corrugated fiberboard sheet material and an accordion-folded inner support formed of corrugated fiberboard sheet material. The hollow outer portion has four outer surfaces that define a rectangle when viewed in cross-section transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongate structure. The accordion-folded inner support is enclosed within the hollow outer portion. The inner support includes a plurality of first spaced-apart peaks that contact a first inner surface of the hollow outer portion and a plurality of second spaced-apart peaks that contact an opposing second inner surface of the hollow outer portion.

Abstract: A device for wrapping a substantially flat piece of sheet material with a plurality of creases that define fold lines that when folded, forms an elongate structure that includes a hollow outer portion and a hollow inner portion disposed within the hollow outer portion. The device includes a mandrel, a gripper blade that releasably secures the sheet material to the mandrel, a motor that rotates the mandrel when the sheet material is secured to the mandrel, and a compressive member that releasably presses the first outer side surface of the hollow outer portion of the elongate structure against the inner portion of the elongate structure after the sheet material has been wrapped about the mandrel. The device can also include a controller that is operably associated with the motor and the compressive member.

Abstract: An elongate structure that includes a hollow outer portion and a hollow inner portion disposed within the hollow outer portion. The hollow outer portion includes a first outer side surface, a second outer side surface, and a third outer side surface that define first, second and third intersecting planes respectively. The three intersecting planes form three dihedral angles whose sum is about 180°. The hollow inner portion is in contact with each inner side of the hollow outer portion. Further, the hollow inner portion includes at least one panel that extends between each inner side of the hollow outer portion to thereby form hollow inner triangular channels.

Abstract: A sheet rolling device includes a mandrel that selectively retains the sheet stock between a sidewall of the mandrel and a gripper blade of the mandrel. The sheet rolling device also includes a sensor that detects a presence and an absence of the sheet stock near the mandrel, a controller operably associated with the mandrel so as to cause a motor to rotate the mandrel to wind the sheet stock around the mandrel, and an expansion leaf operably associated with the controller and situated along at least a portion of an exterior of the sidewall of the mandrel. Extension of the expansion leaf away from the sidewall increases an effective perimeter of the mandrel about which the sheet stock may be wound and retraction of the expansion leaf toward the sidewall decreases the effective perimeter of the mandrel about which the sheet stock may be wound.

Abstract: A shipping container including a container body having at least one open end and at least one mounting opening formed therein adjacent to the open end, an end cap having a sidewall provided with a projection that extends away from the sidewall and a slot; and an external locking clip comprising an elongate member having a first end provided with a protruding portion and a second end provided with a receiving portion for receiving an end portion of the protruding portion. The end cap is received in the open end of the container body such that the container body surrounds the sidewall, the projection extends into the mounting opening, and the mounting opening is aligned with the slot in the sidewall. The protruding portion extends through the mounting opening and the aligned slot, and end portion of the protruding portion is received within the receiving portion.

Abstract: Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details an elongate structure is provided that includes a hollow outer portion and a hollow inner portion disposed within the hollow outer portion. The hollow outer portion includes a first outer side surface, a second outer side surface, and a third outer side surface to form a first, second and third intersecting planes respectively. The three intersecting planes form three dihedral angles whose sum is about 180°. The hollow inner portion is in contact with each inner side of the hollow outer portion. Further, the hollow inner portion includes at one panel that extends between each inner side of the hollow outer portion to thereby form hollow inner triangular channels.

Abstract: An end cap adapted to releasably secure to a tube having a first open end to form a shipping container. The end cap includes a base, a sidewall surrounding and extending from the base, at least one movable projection biased to extend beyond the outer side of the sidewall, and a deformable sealing element extending from a perimeter of the base and/or from the outer side of the sidewall. When the end cap is secured to the tube, an inner side of tube surrounds the outer side of the sidewall of the end cap, the movable projection extends into a mounting opening formed in the tube proximal to the first open end, and the sealing element is deformed against the inner side of the tube to form a circumferential seal between the end cap and the tube such that the end cap completely plugs a passageway through the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shipping container, a paper tube, an end cap and a method. The shipping container includes a tube and an end cap. The tube has a cylindrical body and an open end. The cylindrical body has a mounting opening formed therein adjacent to the open end. The end cap includes a circular sidewall that is adapted to be received by the open end of the tube such that either the circular sidewall is surrounded by the cylindrical body or the cylindrical body is radially surrounded by the circular sidewall. The circular sidewall includes a projection that extends away from the circular sidewall and into the mounting opening so as to releasably secure the end cap to the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shipping container, a paper tube, an end cap and a method. The shipping container includes a tube and an end cap. The tube has a cylindrical body and an open end. The cylindrical body has a mounting opening formed therein adjacent to the open end. The end cap includes a circular sidewall that is adapted to be received by the open end of the tube such that the circular sidewall radially surrounds the cylindrical body. The circular sidewall includes a projection that extends away from the circular sidewall and into the mounting opening so as to releasably secure the end cap to the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shipping container, a paper tube, an end cap and a method. The shipping container includes a tube and an end cap. The tube has a cylindrical body and an open end. The cylindrical body has a mounting opening formed therein adjacent to the open end. The end cap includes a circular sidewall that is adapted to be received by the open end of the tube such that either the circular sidewall is surrounded by the cylindrical body or the cylindrical body is radially surrounded by the circular sidewall. The circular sidewall includes a projection that extends away from the circular sidewall and into the mounting opening so as to releasably secure the end cap to the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides an end cap in combination with a paper tube. The paper tube has one or more inwardly extending flaps at an open end. The end cap has a bottom wall and a sidewall that extends from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall. The end cap receives and engages the inwardly extending flaps when the end cap is disposed in the open end of the paper tube.