EP1934103A1 - Container for shipping a plurality of articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A container is provided for shipping and/or storing a plurality of articles, such as computer system components (for example, computer key boards), 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.

Description

CONTAINER FOR SHIPPING A PLURALITY OF ARTICLES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

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 in¬

vention 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.

2. Brief Description of the Related Art

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 typi-

cally 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.

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.

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 de¬

livered 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 com-

puter system manufacturer will remove the components from the packaging

that is used to ship the components in bulk and then re-package the compo¬

nents into the overall system packaging, it is unnecessary for the compo¬

nents 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.; plam 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.

For instance, a computer keyboard manufacturer will typically ship

several computer keyboards together in a single package. The computer sys¬

tem 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 re¬

main associated with the keyboard, so as to not become confused with simi¬

lar 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.

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.

It is common, therefore, to pre-package the individual keyboards

along with their associated documentation and/or software installation me¬

dia, 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 ship- pmg and/or storing a plurality of articles, wherein the container is formed

from a minimum of parts.

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.

It is desirable further to provide a container for shipping and/or stor¬

ing 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 pro¬

vide a container for shipping and/or storing a plurality of articles, wherein

items associated with individual ones of the plurality of articles can be re¬

moved easily from the container along with the articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a container is pro-

vided for shipping and/or storing a plurality of articles, such as computer

system components (for example, computer keyboards), wherein the plural¬

ity 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 ^"poMoifaml'afϊeasf 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.

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 parti-

tion 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 por¬

tion 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.

Several variations of the container are provided, wherein the main

body portion and/or partitions are modified so as to provide additional func- ^"tionalrty^'fδf 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 varia¬

tions 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 inven-

tion.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a container for ship¬

ping 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 por¬

tion 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.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container suitable fof^'sKϊppϊng arid/or storing articles, such as, for example, computer system

components.

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 manu¬

facturing practices.

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 asso¬

ciated therewith.

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 con¬

tainer 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.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a con- ^"tairief 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 an even further object of the present invention to provide a con-

tainer for shipping and/or storing a plurality of articles, wherein the con¬

tainer is formed from a minimum of parts.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a con¬

tainer 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.

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.

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.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present inven¬

tion become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the description ^' whϊclf follows^ ancf may be realized by means of the instramentalities and

combinations particularly pointed out therein, as well as by those instrumen¬

talities, combinations and improvements thereof which are not described ex¬

pressly therein, but which would be obvious to those of ordinary and reason-

able skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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:

Figure 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;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a blank used to form the main body portion

of the container shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the blank shown in Figure 1 in a par¬

tially-folded configuration such that interior slotted endwalls of the container

shown in Figure 1 have not yet been formed;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the blank shown in Figure 1 in a fur- fher parlially-ToTcied^' configuration such that interior slotted endwalls of the

container shown in Figure 1 each are partially formed;

Figure 5 is a partial section view of one interior slotted endwall of the

container shown in Figure 1, taken along section line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a plan view of a blank used to form the partition shown in

Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the blank shown in Figure 6 in a par¬

tially-folded configuration such that a spacer portion of the partition shown

in Figure 1 is shown extending therefrom;

Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the container shown in

Figure 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;

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the container shown in

Figure 1, wherein a plurality of partitions are shown such that all of the par¬

titions are shown fully received by the interior slotted endwalls of the con¬

tainer;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the container shown in Figure 1,

wherein the container has been inverted after a plurality of partitions have been inserted ϊMδ ^"ffie interior space thereof, thereby defining a plurality of

compartments within the interior space of the container; and,

Figure 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 in¬

vention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to Figure 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 (Figure 2) and a topwall formed from overlap-

ping 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 de¬

scribed in greater detail below.

Individual articles (not shown), such as computer keyboards and the lik^TogeffierlVltKaksociated 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 in¬

serted into (and removed from) the interior space 2 of the container 1 main

body portion 10 with relative ease-of-handling.

Referring now to Figure 2, a blank Bl for forming the main body por-

tion 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 Figure 2. The blank Bl includes a plurality of score lines, fold

lines, cut lines and slots which divide the blank Bl 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 l la, l ib extend along the length of the blank Bl and

first, second and third transverse fold lines 13a, 13b, 13c extend along the

width of the blank Bl and cooperate with the longitudinal fold lines l la, 1 Ib to define sidewall-forming panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d.

Topside cut lines 15a, 15b, 15c extend along transverse fold lines 13a,

13b, 13c, respectively, towards a topside edge BIa of the blank Bl and de¬

fine topwall-forming panels 16a, 16b. Bottomside cut lines 17a, 17b, 17c

extend along transverse fold lines 13a, 13b, 13c, respectively, towards a bot¬

tomside edge BIb of the blank Bl and define bottom wall-forming flaps 14a,

14b, 14rc, 14d. As can be seen from Figure 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 bot¬

tomside 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 longitu¬

dinal fold lines 1 Ia, 1 Ib, respectively, although they may be oriented to

form an angle therewith.

Glue flap 19 extends from a first side edge BIc of the blank Bl 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 side-

wall panel 12a to be secured to fourth sidewall panel 12d, such as, by adhe- sive, when blank Bl 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 pre¬

ferred embodiment of the present invention.

Cut lines 15a, 15b also define first endwall panel 20b positioned be¬

tween 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 longitudi¬

nally therealong between first and second cut lines 15 a, 15b, and extending

from second longitudinal fold line 1 Ib, through first bridge segment 22a and

at least partways into first interior endwall 23a.

Similarly, cut lines 15b, 15c define second endwall panel 20d posi-

tioned adjacent the second topwall-forming flap 16c opposite the first end¬

wall panel 20b. Second endwall panel 2Od includes first and second fold

lines 21c, 2 Id which divide second endwall panel 2Od 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 2Od, spaced longitu¬

dinally therealong between second and third cut lines 15b, 15c, and extend¬

ing from second longitudinal fold line 1 Ib₅ through second bridge segment

22b and at least partways into second interior endwall 23b.

Referring now to Figure 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 Bl along each of the transverse fold lines 13 a, 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 ad-

hesive, clips or staples. Bottom wall flaps 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d are then each

folded about fold line 1 Ia 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.

With reference now also to Figure 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 in¬

wardly about second fold lines 21b, 2 Id, 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 por¬

tion 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 l ib, relative to second and fourth

sidewall panels 12b, 12d, respectively.

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 12d₅ second bridge segment 22b, second interior endwall 23b and second hold-down flap 24b is shown in Figure 5.

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.

Referring now to Figure 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 pro¬

vided, in which case, two or more identical partitions 30 will be used in con¬

nection with the container 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the pre¬

sent 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 Figure 6.

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 3 Ib includes a cen¬

trally-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. Ac¬

cording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, second trans¬

verse fold line 33b is interrupted between edgewise cut lines 35b, 35c, al¬

though second transverse fold line 33b may alternatively span continuously

across the entire width of blank B2.

First and second slots 36a, 36b extend into first divider panel 3 Ia to¬

wards first transverse fold line 33 a, spaced therefrom by a distance, thereby

defining first and second shoulders 37a, 37b of first divider panel 31a adja¬

cent 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 outer¬

most edge 39a of first divider panel 31a. and fourth slots 36c, 36d extend into second divider

panel 3 Ib towards second transverse fold line 33b, spaced therefrom by a

distance, thereby defining third and fourth shoulders 37c, 37d of second di¬

vider panel 3 Ib 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 ter¬

minate short of an outermost edge 39b of second divider panel 3 Ib.

Except for the popout extension flap 34 defined by cut lines 35 a, 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 en¬

tirely between first and second fold lines 33a, 33b and are provided to facili¬

tate inserting the partition 30 into the interior space 2 of the main body por- tϊoiϊ ID bftlie^"cόntaϊner ^"1.

With reference now also to Figure 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 3 Ib 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 Figure 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 3 Ib and spaced therefrom by a distance represented by the distance

between first and second transverse fold lines 33a, 33b.

Thus configured, partition 30 forms a space between first and second

divider panels 31a, 31b into which an article, such as, for example, a com-

puter 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 3 Ia, 3 Ib and shelf portion 34. Because divider

panels 3 Ia, 3 Ib 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 ιtem(s) tcfone or both divider panels 3 Ia, 3 Ib, 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 3 Ia, 3 Ib, though, is not required in order to

stay within either the spirit or the scope of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 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 ex¬

ample, a computer keyboard with associated items, such as, for example,

documentation and installation software media, may be placed for safe stor¬

age 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

Figure 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 Figure 9, both partitions 30',

30" are shown fully inserted into the interior space 2 of the main body por- tion 10 of the^"cdήtainef 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.

With reference specifically to Figure 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 pro¬

vided 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 verti¬

cal plane; and, slots 26a(iv), 26b(iv) lie generally in the same vertical plane.

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 inte-

rior 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.

By way of example, first and second slots 26a(i), 26a(ii) formed in the ^'first 'interior enid^'walϊ 2^'3^'a 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 3 Ia, 3 Ib are spaced from one another. Thus configured, second parti¬

tion 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 sec¬

ond divider panel 3 Ib slides at least partways into, for example, slots 26a(ii),

26b(ii). In this manner, divider panels 3 Ia, 3 Ib 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.

Similarly, a first partition 30' formed as described herein may be re-

ceived 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 3 Ia, 3 Ib are positively located within the inte- rior 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 3 Ib 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.

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 par¬

titions 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 main-

taining 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 arti¬

cle^) and/or item(s) which may be stored between partitions 30', 30",

thereby inhibiting their tendency to fall out from the container 1. ^*Refemng^™Mck to^' Figure 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 be¬

tween interior endwall 23a, 23b and its respective sidewall 12b, 12d. Slots

26a, 26b extend down interior endwalls 23 a, 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 por¬

tion 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.

Referring now to Figure 10, use of the container 1 according to a pre¬

ferred 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" (Figures 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 3 Ia, 3 Ib 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.

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 arti¬

cle^) and/or item(s) may be inserted, with or without packing material, for

shipping and storage. Once each of the compartments are filled with arti¬

cle^) 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 particu-

larly, 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 con¬

tainer 1 during shipping and storage. 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 modifica¬

tions thereto without departing from either the spirit or the scope of the pre-

sent 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.

Referring to Figure 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 (Figure 6)

used to form the partition 30 according to a preferred embodiment hereof

and like reference numerals are intended to represent like features. How¬

ever, with respect to the present embodiment, blank B2' includes a second

popout extension flap 134 formed in the first divider panel 31 a 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.

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 re¬

moving the popout extension flap 34, 134 from the plane of the divider panel

31b, 31a, respectively, when the partition is formed, as shown in Figure 7.

Even further still, cut lines 35a, 135a may be provided with interrup¬

tions 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 3 Ib, 3 Ia 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 configura¬

tions. In such arrangements, fold lines 33a, 33b maybe 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 135 c735 c, respectively.

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 in-

tention 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.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:

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 includ¬

ing a first sidewall defined by a first sidewall panel and a first interior end-

wall 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 dfviHeFpanels, 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 re¬

ceive 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 exten¬

sion 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.