U.S. patent application number 11/503858 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-15 for container for shipping a plurality of articles.
Invention is credited to Robert Carl De Nola.
Application Number | 20070034548 11/503858 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37606974 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070034548 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
De Nola; Robert Carl |
February 15, 2007 |
Container for shipping a plurality of articles
Abstract
A container is provided for shipping and/or storing a plurality
of articles, such as computer system components (for example,
computer keyboards), wherein the plurality of articles are packaged
within the container efficiently so as to keep the individual
articles in spaced relation to one another. A container according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a main
body portion and at least one partition removably received by an
interior space of the main body portion such that the partition
remains in a fixed location within the interior space of the main
body portion until removed therefrom. The partition is formed from
a blank and is shaped so as to at least partially surround the
article, thereby protecting same from damage during shipping and/or
storage.
Inventors: |
De Nola; Robert Carl;
(Atherton, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
6285 TRI-RIDGE BOULEVARD
LOVELAND
OH
45140
US
|
Family ID: |
37606974 |
Appl. No.: |
11/503858 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60707582 |
Aug 12, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/586 ;
206/320; 206/521 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/4804 20130101;
B65D 5/48046 20130101; B65D 2585/30 20130101; B65D 2585/689
20130101; B65D 5/5076 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/586 ;
206/320; 206/521 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00; B65D 81/02 20060101 B65D081/02; B65D 85/30 20060101
B65D085/30 |
Claims
1. A container for shipping items, comprising: a main body portion
having an interior space defined by a plurality of sidewalls; at
least one partition removably positionable within said interior
space of said main body portion, said at least one partition being
adapted to engage at least one sidewall of said main body portion
to positively position said partition within said interior space;
wherein said partition defines at least two compartments within
said interior space of said main body portion.
2. The container according to claim 1, said plurality of sidewalls
including a first sidewall defined by a first sidewall panel and a
first interior endwall panel, and wherein said partition is adapted
to engage said first interior endwall panel of said first
sidewall.
3. The container according to claim 2, said first interior endwall
panel having at least one slot for receiving a portion of said
partition therein.
4. The container according to claim 3, said partition having at
least one slot for receiving said a portion of said first interior
endwall therein, said at least one slot of said partition mating
with said at least one slot of said first interior endwall panel to
positively locate an end of said partition within said interior
space of said main body portion.
5. The container according to claim 3, said first interior endwall
panel having a plurality of slots spaced therealong.
6. The container according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of
slots are spaced equidistantly along said first interior endwall
panel.
7. The container according to claim 5, wherein said at least one
partition includes a plurality of partitions, and wherein each of
said plurality of slots in said first interior endwall panel is
adapted to receive one of said plurality of partitions.
8. The container according to claim 7, wherein each partition
includes a plurality of divider panels, and wherein each divider
panel of each partition is adapted to be received by one of said
plurality of slots in said first interior endwall.
9. The container according to claim 5, wherein said partition
includes a first divider panel and a second divider panel, and
wherein said plurality of slots in said first interior endwall
panel includes a first slot adapted to receive said first divider
panel and a second slot adapted to receive said second divider
panel.
10. The container according to claim 9, wherein said first divider
panel is attached to said second divider panel by a shelf
portion.
11. The container according to claim 10, wherein said second
divider panel includes a first popout extension flap.
12. The container according to claim 11, wherein said first popout
extension flap extends from said shelf portion of said second
divider panel.
13. The container according to claim 11, wherein said first divider
panel includes a second popout extension flap.
14. The container according to claim 2, said partition having at
least one slot for receiving said a portion of said first interior
endwall therein.
15. The container according to claim 2, wherein said first interior
endwall panel is attached to said first sidewall panel by a bridge
segment.
16. The container according to claim 2, said plurality of sidewalls
further including a second sidewall defined by a second sidewall
panel and a second interior endwall panel, and wherein said
partition is adapted to engage both said first interior endwall
panel of said first sidewall and said second interior endwall panel
of said second sidewall.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/707,582, filed 12 Aug. 2005, the
specification of which is hereby incorporated hereinto by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to containers for shipping and
storing a plurality of articles such as computer peripherals, for
example, computer keyboards and their associated hardware. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a container for
shipping and storing a plurality of articles such as computer
peripherals, wherein the articles are held in spaced relation to
one another by a plurality of foldable partitions.
[0004] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art
[0005] Consumer desktop computers typically are sold to end-users
as pre-bundled systems, comprising all the components necessary for
an ordinary user to perform most home computing tasks. Computer
manufacturers typically offer such consumer computer systems in a
variety of configurations, but each configuration ordinarily
includes a computer "tower" (in which the computer motherboard,
hard drive, optical drives and memory are installed), a keyboard, a
mouse, speakers, software media and documentation pre-packaged and
shipped within a single container, such as a corrugated box. It is
desirable, therefore, to provide a container suitable for shipping
and/or storing articles, such as, for example, computer system
components.
[0006] Computer manufacturers, however, typically do not
manufacturer each of the system components for themselves; rather,
a typical computer manufacturer merely designs the system,
outsources the manufacturing of the individual components,
assembles the components and packages them into a single container
for shipping to the end-user as a complete system.
[0007] The individual components, such as hard drives, CD/DVD
drives and keyboards, are manufactured by third parties and
supplied to the computer manufacturer in bulk for the computer
system manufacturer to incorporate into pre-bundled computer
systems. Because the components are being delivered to the computer
manufacturer in bulk, it is preferable to minimize the amount of
packaging used to ship the bulk components from the component
manufacturer to the computer system manufacturer. Also, because the
computer system manufacturer will remove the components from the
packaging that is used to ship the components in bulk and then
re-package the components into the overall system packaging, it is
unnecessary for the components to be individually packaged in, for
example, display ready packaging. Rather, it is sufficient for the
several of the components to be shipped in a common, plain package,
from which the components can be removed easily. It is desirable,
therefore, to provide a container for shipping and/or storing
articles, such as, for example, computer system components, wherein
the container is adapted to ship bulk quantities of such articles
in a manner that is compatible with current computer systems
manufacturing practices.
[0008] For instance, a computer keyboard manufacturer will
typically ship several computer keyboards together in a single
package. The computer system manufacturer will remove the
individual keyboards from the single package and bundle individual
ones of them with the remaining computer system components for
delivery to the end-user as a complete system. As is oftentimes the
case, the keyboard will come with its own documentation and
software installation media. It is sometimes desirable for such
items to remain associated with the keyboard, so as to not become
confused with similar items associated with other components of the
computer system. As such, it is desirable to provide a container
for shipping a plurality of articles, wherein each of the plurality
of articles is packaged in a manner that allows for items
associated therewith, such as, for example, documentation and/or
software installation media, to remain associated therewith.
[0009] It also is desirable to provide a container for shipping
and/or storing a plurality of articles, wherein each of the
plurality of articles (together with their associated items) is
packaged within the container in such a manner so as to provide
adequate protection from damage, etc., since computer system
components typically are delicate and sensitive to water, shock and
rough handling.
[0010] It is common, therefore, to pre-package the individual
keyboards along with their associated documentation and/or software
installation media, for instance, in a plain corrugated box. Not
only do such boxes provide adequate protection from damage, but
they allow for the documentation and software installation media to
remain associated with the keyboards. It has been observed,
however, that boxes of this type typically are stronger than they
need to be, since these boxes are themselves shipped within a
larger container. Because these boxes are larger than they need to
be, the result is that unnecessary material is used in the
construction of these boxes, thereby increasing the expense of
manufacturing and handling articles shipped in them. Accordingly,
it is desirable to provide a container for shipping and/or storing
articles, wherein the individual articles are packaged in a manner
so as to minimize the amount of material necessary to protect them
during shipping and/or storage. It is desirable also to provide a
container for shipping and/or storing a plurality of articles,
wherein the container is formed from a minimum of parts.
[0011] It also is desirable to provide a container for shipping
and/or storing a plurality of articles, wherein each of the
articles are packaged in a manner so as to remain in spaced
relation to all the other articles within the container.
[0012] It is desirable further to provide a container for shipping
and/or storing a plurality of articles, wherein individual ones of
the plurality of articles can be removed from the container easily.
It is desirable further still to provide a container for shipping
and/or storing a plurality of articles, wherein items associated
with individual ones of the plurality of articles can be removed
easily from the container along with the articles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, a
container is provided for shipping and/or storing a plurality of
articles, such as computer system components (for example, computer
keyboards), wherein the plurality of articles are packaged within
the container efficiently so as to keep the individual articles in
spaced relation to one another. A container according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body
portion and at least one partition removably received by an
interior space of the main body portion such that the partition
remains in a fixed location within the interior space of the main
body portion until removed therefrom. The partition is formed from
a blank and is shaped so as to at least partially surround the
article, thereby protecting same from damage during shipping and/or
storage.
[0014] The main body portion of the container provides orthogonal
exterior sidewalls and opposing interior slotted endwalls, each
endwall having one or more slots therein for at least partially
receiving one of the at least one partition therein. The slots
cooperate with slots provided in the partition so as to positively
locate the partition within the interior space of the main body
portion of the container. Slots are spaced along the interior
endwalls of the main body portion so as to permit a plurality of
partitions to be positively located within the interior space of
the main body portion in spaced relation to one another, thereby
providing a container for shipping and/or storing a plurality of
articles, wherein the articles are maintained in a spaced relation
to one another while positioned within the container.
[0015] Several variations of the container are provided, wherein
the main body portion and/or partitions are modified so as to
provide additional functionality for the container, while remaining
within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example,
cutouts may be provided in one or more sidewalls of the main body
portion so as to define handles for increasing the ease with which
the container may be handled. Further, finger holes may be provided
at various locations within the partition blank so as to facilitate
easy erection of the blank into a functional partition. These, and
other variations which may become obvious to one of ordinary skill
in the art upon reading the within description of the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, will be seen to be within the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, a
container for shipping items is provided, comprising a main body
portion having an interior space defined by a plurality of
sidewalls; at least one partition removably positionable within the
interior space of the main body portion, at least one partition
being adapted to engage at least one sidewall of the main body
portion to positively position the partition within the interior
space; wherein the partition defines at least two compartments
within the interior space of the main body portion.
[0017] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
container suitable for shipping and/or storing articles, such as,
for example, computer system components.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
container for shipping and/or storing articles, such as, for
example, computer system components, wherein the container is
adapted to ship bulk quantities of such articles in a manner that
is compatible with current computer systems manufacturing
practices.
[0019] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a container for shipping a plurality of articles, wherein each of
the plurality of articles is packaged in a manner that allows for
items associated therewith, such as, for example, documentation
and/or software installation media, to remain associated
therewith.
[0020] It also is an object of the present invention to provide a
container for shipping and/or storing a plurality of articles,
wherein each of the plurality of articles (together with their
associated items) is packaged within the container in such a manner
so as to provide adequate protection from damage, etc., since
computer system components typically are delicate and sensitive to
water, shock and rough handling.
[0021] It is still yet another object of the present invention to
provide a container for shipping and/or storing articles, wherein
the individual articles are packaged in a manner so as to minimize
the amount of material necessary to protect them during shipping
and/or storage.
[0022] It is an even further object of the present invention to
provide a container for shipping and/or storing a plurality of
articles, wherein the container is formed from a minimum of
parts.
[0023] It is still yet another object of the present invention to
provide a container for shipping and/or storing a plurality of
articles, wherein each of the articles are packaged in a manner so
as to remain in spaced relation to all the other articles within
the container.
[0024] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
container for shipping and/or storing a plurality of articles,
wherein individual ones of the plurality of articles can be removed
from the container easily.
[0025] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a container for shipping and/or storing a plurality of articles,
wherein items associated with individual ones of the plurality of
articles can be removed easily from the container along with the
articles.
[0026] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art from the description which follows, and may be realized by
means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly
pointed out therein, as well as by those instrumentalities,
combinations and improvements thereof which are not described
expressly therein, but which would be obvious to those of ordinary
and reasonable skill in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] A better understanding of the invention will be had upon
reference to the following description in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent
like parts, and wherein:
[0028] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a container
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
showing one of a plurality of partitions in spaced relation to a
main body portion;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank used to form the main body
portion of the container shown in FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the blank shown in FIG. 1 in
a partially-folded configuration such that interior slotted
endwalls of the container shown in FIG. 1 have not yet been
formed;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the blank shown in FIG. 1 in
a further partially-folded configuration such that interior slotted
endwalls of the container shown in FIG. 1 each are partially
formed;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a partial section view of one interior slotted
endwall of the container shown in FIG. 1, taken along section line
5-5 of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank used to form the partition
shown in FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the blank shown in FIG. 6 in
a partially-folded configuration such that a spacer portion of the
partition shown in FIG. 1 is shown extending therefrom;
[0035] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the container
shown in FIG. 1, wherein a plurality of partitions are shown such
that each one of the partitions is shown partially received by the
interior slotted endwalls of the container;
[0036] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the container
shown in FIG. 1, wherein a plurality of partitions are shown such
that all of the partitions are shown fully received by the interior
slotted endwalls of the container;
[0037] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the container shown in FIG.
1, wherein the container has been inverted after a plurality of
partitions have been inserted into the interior space thereof,
thereby defining a plurality of compartments within the interior
space of the container; and,
[0038] FIG. 11 is a partial plan view of a central region of a
blank used to form a partition according to an alternative
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] With reference to FIG. 1, a container 1 for shipping and/or
storing a plurality of articles (not shown) comprises a main body
portion 10 and at least one partition 30 that is removably received
within an interior space 2 defined by the main body portion 10.
More particularly, main body portion 10 comprises a plurality of
orthogonal sidewalls formed from sidewall-forming panels 12a-12d, a
bottom wall formed from overlapping bottom wall-forming flaps
14a-14d (FIG. 2) and a topwall formed from overlapping
topwall-forming flaps 16a, 16c. At least one interior slotted
endwall xx, xx is provided in spaced relation to one of the
sidewalls 12 and includes a plurality of slots xx therein, the
function and use of which will be described in greater detail
below.
[0040] Individual articles (not shown), such as computer keyboards
and the like, together with associated items, such as, for example,
documentation and software installation media, are attached to or
otherwise associated with one of the partitions 30. For example, a
computer keyboard (not shown) may be attached to one of the
partitions 30 using, for example, straps, elastic bands or
stretch-wrap material. Each partition 30, then, together with the
article and items associated therewith, form a unitary item that
may be inserted into (and removed from) the interior space 2 of the
container 1 main body portion 10 with relative
ease-of-handling.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 2, a blank B1 for forming the main
body portion 10 of the container 1 is constructed from any suitable
foldable material, such as corrugated paperboard, heavy-weight
paper or the like, and is die-cut to form a generally rectangular
configuration, when in an unfolded state, as shown in FIG. 2. The
blank B1 includes a plurality of score lines, fold lines, cut lines
and slots which divide the blank B1 into sidewall-forming panels
12a, 12b, 12c, 12d; bottom wall-forming flaps 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d;
and, topwall-forming flaps 16a, 16c. More particularly, first and
second longitudinal fold lines 11a, 11b extend along the length of
the blank B1 and first, second and third transverse fold lines 13a,
13b, 13c extend along the width of the blank B1 and cooperate with
the longitudinal fold lines 11a, 11b to define sidewall-forming
panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d.
[0042] Topside cut lines 15a, 15b, 15c extend along transverse fold
lines 13a, 13b, 13c, respectively, towards a topside edge B1a of
the blank B1 and define topwall-forming panels 16a, 16b. Bottomside
cut lines 17a, 17b, 17c extend along transverse fold lines 13a,
13b, 13c, respectively, towards a bottomside edge B1b of the blank
B1 and define bottom wall-forming flaps 14a, 14b, 14rc, 14d. As can
be seen from FIG. 2, first topside cut line 15a, first transverse
fold line 13a and first bottomside cut line 17a are collinear with
one another. Similarly, second topside cut line 15b, second
transverse fold line 13b and second bottomside cut line 17b are
collinear with one another, and third topside cut line 15c, third
transverse fold line 13c and third bottomside cut line 17c are
collinear with one another. Fold lines 13, 13b, 13c and cut lines
15a, 15b, 15c, 17a, 17b, 17c each are perpendicular to longitudinal
fold lines 11a, 11b, respectively, although they may be oriented to
form an angle therewith.
[0043] Glue flap 19 extends from a first side edge B1c of the blank
B1 and is foldable relative to first sidewall panel 12a along a tab
fold line 13d. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand
that glue flap 19 allows first sidewall panel 12a to be secured to
fourth sidewall panel 12d, such as, by adhesive, when blank B1 is
folded about each transverse fold line 13a, 13b, 13c to form a
generally tubular orthogonal sidewall structure, which is the first
step in forming a main body portion 10 of the container 1 according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] Cut lines 15a, 15b also define first endwall panel 20b
positioned between first and second topwall-forming flaps 16a, 16c
and includes first and second fold lines 21a, 21b which divide
first endwall panel 20a into first bridge segment 22a, first
interior endwall 23a and first hold-down flap 24a, arranged in
sequence extending from second sidewall panel 12b. One or more
slots 26a are formed in the first endwall panel 20b, spaced
longitudinally therealong between first and second cut lines 15a,
15b, and extending from second longitudinal fold line 11b, through
first bridge segment 22a and at least partways into first interior
endwall 23a.
[0045] Similarly, cut lines 15b, 15c define second endwall panel
20d positioned adjacent the second topwall-forming flap 16c
opposite the first endwall panel 20b. Second endwall panel 20d
includes first and second fold lines 21c, 21d which divide second
endwall panel 20d into second bridge segment 22b, second interior
endwall 23b and second hold-down flap 24b, arranged in sequence
extending from fourth sidewall panel 12d. One or more slots 26b are
formed in the second endwall panel 20d, spaced longitudinally
therealong between second and third cut lines 15b, 15c, and
extending from second longitudinal fold line 11b, through second
bridge segment 22b and at least partways into second interior
endwall 23b.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 3, the main body portion 10 of the
container 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention is formed by first folding the blank B1 along each of the
transverse fold lines 13a, 13b, 13c to form a generally tubular
orthogonal sidewall structure and thereafter affixing glue tab 19
to the fourth sidewall panel 12d, for example, using adhesive,
clips or staples. Bottom wall flaps 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d are then
each folded about fold line 11a in an overlapping arrangement and
secured to one another, such as, with adhesive, to enclose the
bottom end of the sidewall structure, thereby cooperating with the
sidewall panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d to define the interior space 2
of the main body portion 10.
[0047] With reference now also to FIG. 4, the main body portion 10
of the container 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention is further formed by folding first and second
hold-down flaps 24a, 24b inwardly about second fold lines 21b, 21d,
respectively, relative to first and second interior endwalls 23a,
23b, respectively, until first and second hold-down panels 24a, 24b
are generally perpendicular to first and second interior endwalls
23a, 23b, respectively. First and second interior endwalls 23a,
23b, then, are folded downwardly into the interior space 2 of the
main body portion 10 by simultaneously folding each interior
endwall 23a, 23b about first fold lines 21a, 21c, respectively,
relative to first and second bridge segments 22a, 22b,
respectively, while at the same time folding bridge segments 22a,
22b about second longitudinal fold line 11b, relative to second and
fourth sidewall panels 12b, 12d, respectively.
[0048] Once interior endwalls 23a, 23b have been folded completely
within the interior space 2 of the main body portion 10, hold-down
flaps 24a, 24b will lie against the topmost bottom wall flaps 14a,
14b, 14c, 14d and can be secured thereto, such as, with adhesive.
Although hold-down flaps 24a, 24b are shown as being folded
outwardly (towards second and fourth sidewall panels 12b, 12d,
respectively, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the
art upon reading the within description that hold-down flaps 24a,
24b may instead be folded in an opposite direction so as to project
towards one another along the bottom wall flaps 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d
and further into the interior space 2 of the main body portion 10.
One arrangement of bottom wall flap 14d, fourth sidewall panel 12d,
second bridge segment 22b, second interior endwall 23b and second
hold-down flap 24b is shown in FIG. 5.
[0049] Also, while in this configuration, interior endwalls 23a,
23b lie in a generally vertical plane parallel to second and fourth
sidewall panels 12b, 12d, respectively, and spaced therefrom by a
distance corresponding to the width of bridge segments 22a, 22b.
Bridge segments 22a, 22b, in turn, lie in a generally horizontal
plane extending and spanning the distance between upper ends of the
sidewall panels 12b, 12d and the interior endwalls 23a, 23b,
respectively.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 6, a blank B2 used to form one of the
at least one partitions 30 of the container 1 according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Preferably,
two or more blanks B2 are provided, in which case, two or more
identical partitions 30 will be used in connection with the
container 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. Blank B2 is constructed from any suitable foldable
material, such as corrugated paperboard, heavy-weight paper or the
like, and is die-cut to form a generally rectangular configuration,
when in an unfolded state, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0051] Blank B2 is divided by first and second transverse fold
lines 33a, 33b into first and second divider panels 31a, 31b
connected at respective upper ends thereof by shelf portion 32.
Second divider panel 31b includes a centrally-positioned cut line
35a spaced from second transverse fold line 33b and generally
parallel thereto. A pair of edgewise cut lines 35b, 35c extend from
distal ends of the centrally-positioned cut line 35a towards second
transverse fold line 33b and end thereat to define a generally
rectangular popout extension flap 34, that will be described in
greater detail below. According to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, second transverse fold line 33b is interrupted
between edgewise cut lines 35b, 35c, although second transverse
fold line 33b may alternatively span continuously across the entire
width of blank B2.
[0052] First and second slots 36a, 36b extend into first divider
panel 31a towards first transverse fold line 33a, spaced therefrom
by a distance, thereby defining first and second shoulders 37a, 37b
of first divider panel 31a adjacent shelf portion 32. Slots 36a,
36b are sufficiently wide so as to permit a conventional sheet of
corrugated paperboard to fit snugly therein, as will be described
in greater detail below. Shoulders 37a, 37b extend away from shelf
portion 32, each terminating in an outwardly-reaching arm 38a, 38b.
Preferably, outwardly-reaching arms 38a, 38b terminate short of an
outermost edge 39a of first divider panel 31a.
[0053] Similarly, third and fourth slots 36c, 36d extend into
second divider panel 31b towards second transverse fold line 33b,
spaced therefrom by a distance, thereby defining third and fourth
shoulders 37c, 37d of second divider panel 31b adjacent shelf
portion 32. Slots 36c, 36d are sufficiently wide so as to permit a
conventional sheet of corrugated paperboard to fit snugly therein,
as will be described in greater detail below. Shoulders 37c, 37d
extend away from shelf portion 32, each terminating in an
outwardly-reaching arm 38c, 38d. Preferably, outwardly-reaching
arms 38c, 38d terminate short of an outermost edge 39b of second
divider panel 31b.
[0054] Except for the popout extension flap 34 defined by cut lines
35a, 35b, 35c, first and second divider panels 31a, 31b can be seen
to be oppositely-facing mirror images of one another, reflected
about and extending from shelf portion 32. Cutouts 32a, 32b may be
provided at opposite ends of the shelf portion 32, which such
cutouts 32a, 32b may span the entire distance between first and
second fold lines 33a, 33b, or alternatively, may span only
partways therebetween, in which case, cutouts 32a, 32b may be
spaced from either or both fold lines 33a, 33b. As shown, cutouts
32a, 32b extend entirely between first and second fold lines 33a,
33b and are provided to facilitate inserting the partition 30 into
the interior space 2 of the main body portion 10 of the container
1.
[0055] With reference now also to FIG. 7, partition 30 is formed
from blank B2 by folding second divider panel 31b about second
transverse fold line 33b until it stands generally perpendicularly
to shelf portion 32. As second divider panel 31b folds about second
transverse fold line 33b, cut lines 35a, 35b, 35c cause popout
extension flap 34 to remain generally in the same plane as shelf
portion 32, thereby defining a protrusion extending from second
divider panel 31b. Referring back now also to FIG. 1, first divider
panel 31a is then folded about first transverse fold line 33a until
it stands generally perpendicularly to shelf portion 32, parallel
to second divider panel 31b and spaced therefrom by a distance
represented by the distance between first and second transverse
fold lines 33a, 33b.
[0056] Thus configured, partition 30 forms a space between first
and second divider panels 31a, 31b into which an article, such as,
for example, a computer keyboard with associated items, such as,
for example, documentation and installation software media, may be
placed for safe storage and shipping, protected by divider panels
31a, 31b and shelf portion 34. Because divider panels 31a, 31b and
shelf portion 34 do not completely surround an article or item(s)
positioned therein, it may be necessary to secure such article
and/or item(s) to one or both divider panels 31a, 31b, such as, for
example, using stretch wrapping, strapping or elastic members. It
should be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, however,
that securing the article and/or item(s) to either or both divider
panels 31a, 31b, though, is not required in order to stay within
either the spirit or the scope of the present invention.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, one or more partitions 30 are
removably insertable into the interior space 2 of the main body
portion 10 to define a plurality of discrete chambers into each of
which an article, such as, for example, a computer keyboard with
associated items, such as, for example, documentation and
installation software media, may be placed for safe storage and
shipping. As mentioned above, article(s) and/or item(s) associated
therewith may be secured to individual ones of the partitions 30,
such as, for example, with stretch wrapping, strapping or elastic
members, to prevent their becoming disassociated therewith during
shipping and/or storage. In FIG. 8, a first partition 30' is shown
nearly fully inserted into the interior space 2 of the main body
portion 10 of the container 1, whereas a second partition 30'' is
shown only partially inserted into the interior space 2 of the main
body portion 10 of the container 1. In FIG. 9, both partitions 30',
30'' are shown fully inserted into the interior space 2 of the main
body portion 10 of the container 1 such that topwall-forming flaps
16a, 16c can be folded into closed positions (not shown), thereby
fully enclosing partitions 30', 30'' and any article(s) and/or
item(s) stored therein.
[0058] With reference specifically to FIG. 8, it can be seen that a
plurality of slots 26a, 26b are formed in the first and second
bridge segments 22a, 22b and extend down first and second interior
endwalls 23a, 23b, respectively. In the embodiment shown, four
slots 26a(i), 26a(ii), 26a(iii), 26a(iv) are provided in the first
interior endwall 23a and four slots 26b(i), 26b(ii), 26b(iii),
26b(iv) are provided in the second interior endwall 23b. Slots
26a(i), 26b(i) lie generally in the same vertical plane; slots
26a(ii), 26b(ii) lie generally in the same vertical plane; slots
26a(iii), 26b(iii) lie generally in the same vertical plane; and,
slots 26a(iv), 26b(iv) lie generally in the same vertical
plane.
[0059] Although slots 26a(i), 26a(ii), 26a(iii), 26a(iv) and slots
26b(i), 26b(ii), 26b(iii), 26b(iv) are shown spaced equidistantly
along first and second interior endwalls 23a, 23b, respectively,
adjacent slots 26a(i), 26a(ii), 26a(iii), 26a(iv) and adjacent
slots 26b(i), 26b(ii), 26b(iii), 26b(iv) may be spaced along first
and second interior endwalls 23a, 23b, respectively, at increasing,
decreasing or varying distances from one another.
[0060] By way of example, first and second slots 26a(i), 26a(ii)
formed in the first interior endwall 23a and first and second slots
26b(i), 26b(ii) formed in the second interior endwall 23b each are
spaced from one another a distance corresponding to the width of
the shelf portion 32 of the partition 30, which also corresponds to
the distance through which the first and second divider panels 31a,
31b are spaced from one another. Thus configured, second partition
30'' formed as described herein may be received by the interior
space 2 of the main body portion 10 such that first divider panel
31a slides at least partways into, for example, slots 26a(i),
26b(i) while at the same time second divider panel 31b slides at
least partways into, for example, slots 26a(ii), 26b(ii). In this
manner, divider panels 31a, 31b are positively located within the
interior space 2 of the main body portion 10 so as to prevent
shifting around thereof within the interior space 2, for example,
while in transit or during handling and storage operations.
[0061] Similarly, a first partition 30' formed as described herein
may be received by the interior space 2 of the main body portion 10
adjacent second partition 30'' such that first divider panel 31a
slides at least partways into, for example, slots 26a(iii),
26b(iii) while at the same time second divider panel 31b slides at
least partways into, for example, slots 26a(iv), 26b(iv). In this
manner, divider panels 31a, 31b are positively located within the
interior space 2 of the main body portion 10 so as to prevent
shifting around thereof within the interior space 2, for example,
while in transit or during handling and storage operations.
Article(s) and/or item(s) packaged within either partition 30',
30'', or in a space therebetween (i.e., in a space defined between
second divider panel 31b of second partition 30'' and first divider
panel 30' of first partition 30'), are held securely in place and
with a reduced risk of damage thereto which may be caused due to
rough handling of the container 1.
[0062] Popout extension flap 34 of second partition 30'' may be
sized to span the distance between slots 26a(ii), 26b(ii) and slots
26a(iii), slots 26b(iii), respectively, thereby maintaining the
distance between first and second partitions 30', 30'' and
providing a back stop against which movement of first partition 30'
can be inhibited. Similarly, popout extension flap 34 of first
partition 30'' spans the distance to third sidewall panel 12c,
thereby maintaining the distance between first partition 30' and
third sidewall panel 12c. Besides providing positive positioning
and support for partitions 30' 30'', popout extension flaps 34
further provide a partial enclosure for any article(s) and/or
item(s) which may be stored between partitions 30', 30'', thereby
inhibiting their tendency to fall out from the container 1.
[0063] Referring back to FIG. 1, slots 26a, 26b of main body
portion 10 cooperate with slots 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d of partition 30
to receive one of the plurality of arms 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d of one
partition 30 within the space between interior endwall 23a, 23b and
its respective sidewall 12b, 12d. Slots 26a, 26b extend down
interior endwalls 23a, 23b a sufficient distance so as to allow any
partition(s) 30 received within the interior space 2 of the main
body portion 10 to sit fully within the interior space 2 of the
main body portion 10, thereby permitting closing of the
topwall-forming flaps 16a, 16c. The slot-in-a-slot arrangement will
be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art as providing an
efficient means to positively locate partitions 30 relative to, and
within, main body portion 10.
[0064] Referring now to FIG. 10, use of the container 1 according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be
described. After the main body portion 10 has been erected as
described above, except that hold-down flaps 24a, 24b are not
secured to any of the bottom wall-forming flaps 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d.
Rather, partitions 30', 30'' (FIGS. 8 and 9) are inserted into the
interior space 2 of the main body portion 10 and interlocking slots
ensure that interior endwalls 23a, 23b and divider panels 31a, 31b
remain in generally vertical planes. As soon as all partitions 30',
30'' are fully inserted into the interior space 2 of the main body
portion 10, topwall-forming flaps 16a, 16c are folded to enclose
partitions 30', 30'' therein and are secured in such a closed
position, such as, for example, using packing tape, adhesive or
other fastening techniques. Flaps 16a, 16c may overlap or may meet
at the center of the main body portion 10.
[0065] Container 1, then, is inverted such that container 1 is made
to rest on the inwardly-folded and secured flaps 16a, 16b. Flaps
14a, 14b, 14c, 14d are now opened to expose the interior space 2 of
the main body portion 10. Partitions 30', 30'', and in particular,
divider panels 31a, 31b thereof, divide interior space 2 into a
plurality of open-top compartments into which article(s) and/or
item(s) may be inserted, with or without packing material, for
shipping and storage. Once each of the compartments are filled with
article(s) and/or item(s), flaps 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d are again
closed, thereby fully enclosing the interior space 2 of the main
body portion 10, and more particularly, fully enclosing each of the
compartments defined within the interior space 2 of the main body
portion 10. Flaps 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, then, may be secured to one
another, such as, with packing tape, adhesive, strapping, stretch
wrapping or the like, to prevent unintentional opening of the
container 1 during shipping and storage.
[0066] It will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, upon
reading the within description of the preferred embodiments of the
present invention, that a container 1 according to the present
invention may include modifications thereto without departing from
either the spirit or the scope of the present invention. For
instance, partition 30 may include any number of cutout sections
(not shown), for example, in one or both of the divider panels 31a,
31b extending inwardly from the outer edge 39a, 39b thereof for the
purpose of reducing the amount of material used to form partition
30.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 11, a blank B2' used to form a partition
according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is
shown and includes many of the features described above with
respect to the blank B2 (FIG. 6) used to form the partition 30
according to a preferred embodiment hereof and like reference
numerals are intended to represent like features. However, with
respect to the present embodiment, blank B2' includes a second
popout extension flap 134 formed in the first divider panel 31a by
cut lines 135a, 135b, 135c. The purpose of second popout extension
flap 134 is to allow a partition formed from blank B2' to maintain
a spaced relationship to an adjacent partition (or main body
portion sidewall) on either side of the partition, rather than on
only one side, as provided by a blank B2 according to the preferred
embodiment hereof.
[0068] Even further, either blank B2 according to the preferred
embodiment hereof or blank B2' according to the present embodiment
may be provided with a circular cutout 140 located along either or
both cut lines 35a, 135a, preferably central thereto, the purpose
of which being to assist a user in removing the popout extension
flap 34, 134 from the plane of the divider panel 31b, 31a,
respectively, when the partition is formed, as shown in FIG. 7.
[0069] Even further still, cut lines 35a, 135a may be provided with
interruptions in the form of frangible nicks 142 (also referred to
as tethers, straps or bridging elements), the purpose of which
being to hold popout extension flaps 34, 134 within the plane of
the divider panels 31b, 31a, respectively, until such time as the
end user chooses to tear the nicks, thereby permitting the popout
extension flaps 34, 134 to extend from its respective divider panel
31b, 31a as shown above. Such an arrangement allows for the end
user to have popout extension flap extend from either or both
divider panel, thereby providing a single partition blank adaptable
for multiple configurations. In such arrangements, fold lines 33a,
33b may be continuous across the entire width of the blank B2' such
that a portion 133a, 133b of each fold line 33a, 33b, respectively,
spans the distance between cut lines 135b, 35b and cut lines 135c,
35c, respectively.
[0070] While the invention has been described and illustrated with
reference to one or more preferred embodiments thereof, it is not
the intention of the applicants that the invention be restricted to
such detail. Rather, it is the intention of the applicants that the
invention be defined by all equivalents, both suggested hereby and
known to those of ordinary skill in the art, of the preferred
embodiments falling within the scope hereof.
* * * * *