WO2022250713A1

WO2022250713A1 - Interlocking case inserts

Info

Publication number: WO2022250713A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/038660
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas RUMSAM; Timothée Lesné
Original assignee: Citadel Casing Ltd; ERIC, Szweda
Priority date: 2021-05-25
Filing date: 2021-06-23
Publication date: 2022-12-01
Also published as: EP4347426A1

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a storage system for storing products, such as wine bottles. The system can include a main panel that has protrusions and recesses that interlock with other recesses and protrusions in an adjacent main panel. By manufacturing the main panels in with these offset protrusions/recesses, a single panel can be molded to create an enclosed storage system, thereby increasing shipping efficiency while also maintaining structural integrity for the stored products.

Description

INTERLOCKING CASE INSERTS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority, and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/192,724, filed 25 May 2021, the entire contents and substance of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth below.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an improved case or portions thereof for shipping and storing various products, including bottled liquids, and, more particularly, for improving the storage, transport, and protection of products such as beverage bottles.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Manufacturers and shippers of wine and other beverages rely heavily on bottle packaging to protect their products during storage and shipment. Prior designs for bottle containers included wooden crates or cardboard boxes, which both pose certain drawbacks. Wooden crates, for example, can be prohibitively heavy, increasing the cost of shipping the crate to the manufacturer and/or distributor and, again, increasing the cost of shipping the product to a final customer. Carboard boxes alone provide little support to the products stored therein without additional padding of some kind. Meaning, although cardboard boxes can be light and shipped easily to the manufacturer, without additional support such as inserts, padding, foam, and the like, the manufacturer cannot trust the box will provide the structural support necessary to keep the product safe during shipment. What is needed, therefore, is a system that provides security and storage integrity to bottles that is also easily storable and inexpensively shipped.

SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure address these concerns as well as other needs that will become apparent upon reading the description below in conjunction with the drawings. Briefly described, aspects of the present disclosure relate to an improved case or portions thereof for shipping and storing various products, including bottled liquids, and, more particularly, for improving the storage, transport, and protection of products such as beverage bottles. [0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a storage system including a main panel. The main panel can include a first side face having a first protrusion adjacent to a first recess, and a second side face comprising a second recess adjacent to a second protrusion. The first protrusion can be offset from the second protrusion such that one main panel can be interlocked with another main panel to form a case, or a portion thereof, around a product. Each main panel can include a product cavity to hold the products stored therein. For example, the product cavity can be sized and shaped to hold a bottle. The system can also include an end panel to cover one or more open ends of the two interlocked main panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0006] Reference now will be made to the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0007] FIG. 1A is a front plan view of a main panel, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0008] FIG. IB is a front plan view of a main panel, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 1C is a rear plan view of a main panel, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. ID is a left plan view of a main panel, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. IE is a right plan view of a main panel, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 2A is a bottom plan view of an end panel, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 2B is a top plan view of an end panel, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 2C is a left plan view of an end panel, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 2D is a right plan view of an end panel, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 3A is a side plan view of two main panels interlocked, each main panel with partially-transparent side faces showing a bottle stored therein, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; [0017] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of two main panels interlocked, each main panel with partially-transparent faces showing bottles stored therein, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of main panels and end panels stacked for shipment, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and [0019] FIGs. 5A-5F show an example process for using a storage system using multiple interlocking main panels and an end panel, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and the examples included herein. Before the exemplary embodiments of the devices and methods according to the present disclosure are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that embodiments are not limited to those described within this disclosure. Numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and remain within the scope of the disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Some embodiments of the disclosed technology will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosed technology may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth therein.

[0021] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. But it is to be understood that embodiments of the disclosed technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “various embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment s) of the disclosed technology so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

[0022] Unless otherwise noted, the terms used herein are to be understood according to conventional usage by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In addition to any definitions of terms provided below, it is to be understood that as used in the specification and in the claims, “a” or “an” can mean one or more, depending upon the context in which it is used. Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or.” Further, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.

[0023] Unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[0024] Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0025] To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are explained hereinafter with reference to their implementation in an illustrative embodiment. Such illustrative embodiments are not, however, intended to be limiting.

[0026] The materials described hereinafter as making up the various elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the example embodiments. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the disclosed technology, for example.

[0027] Embodiments of the disclosed technology include a case or portions of a case for storing and transporting bottles of wine. In various embodiments, a case can provide improvements to protecting the integrity of the bottled wine, as well as features that allow a user to use the wine case more easily. A storage system, which can include two or more interlocked panels according to the present disclosure, can be used by wine manufacturers to package bottles of wine and also can be used by consumers to store the wine bottles at home or to transport the bottles.

[0028] Throughout this disclosure, certain embodiments are described in exemplary fashion in relation to storing and transporting bottles of wine. But embodiments of the disclosed technology are not so limited. In some embodiments, the disclosed techniques may be effective in storing and transporting bottles or containers of many other types of liquids. For example, and not limitation, product cavities described herein can be configured for spirit bottles, beer bottles, water bottles, cosmetic bottles, and other bottles having different shapes and sizes. Further, the product cavities can be configured to store products other than bottles, such as toys, cosmetics, electronics, or any other product.

[0029] Various devices and methods are disclosed for providing and using interlocking case inserts for storing and transporting goods, and exemplary embodiments of the devices and methods will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. FIGs. 1A-1E depict a main panel 102 that can interlock with other, similar main panels. FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the main panel 102, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As will be described throughout this disclosure, an aspect of the presently described systems is to provide a storage container for a product — such as a bottle — that can be created from a limited number of panels. A single main panel 102, for example, can be created such that a first main panel 102 can be interlocked with another main panel that includes the same features of the first main panel 102. In this manner, a single main panel 102 can be manufactured and shipped to the bottler or packer, decreasing the cost of shipping while still providing structural side support for the product stored therein.

[0030] The main panel 102 can include one or more faces that abut the one or more faces of another main panel to create a surrounding structure for storing a product. The main panel 102 can include a first side face 104 along one side of the main panel 102. The first side face 104 can include a first protrusion 106 and a first recess 108. The main panel 102 can include a second side face 110 along another, opposite side of the main panel 102 from the first side face 104. The second side face 100 can include a second protrusion 112 and a second recess 114. Each protrusion can be sized to engage with a recess of another main panel. For example, a first protrusion 106 on a first side face 104 of a first main panel can engage a second recess 114 on a second side face 110 of a second main panel when the two are facing one another; a second protrusion 112 on the second side face 110 of the second main panel can engage a first recess 108 on the first side face 104 of the first main panel when the two are facing one another. This combination of one protrusion interlocking with one recess can enable the two main panels to interlock, thereby preventing the faces of each of the main panels from sliding axially and thus securing the product therein.

[0031] FIG. IB shows another front plan view of the main panel 102, as described herein. This view shows how the protrusion on one face can be directly across from a recess on the other face, and vice versa. To illustrate, the first protrusion 106 and the second recess 114 can be positioned at a first distance 152 from a first end 150 of the first main panel 102, and the first recess 108 and the second protrusion 112 can be positioned at a second distance 154 from the first end 150 of the first main panel 102. In this manner, the first side face 104 and the second side face 110 of a single main panel 102 are not mirror images of each other, but are instead offset with regards to the recesses and protrusions. This means that, when a second main panel is turned and positioned facing a first main panel, the recesses will align with the protrusions — and only a single main panel 102 is required to be manufactured to accomplish this interlocking goal.

[0032] Referring again to FIG. 1A, the main panel can further include an end face 116 along one end of the main panel 102. For example, the end face 116 can be placed at the bottom of the main panel 102 (as shown), and/or the end face can be placed at the top of the main panel 102. The end face 116 can include an end protrusion 118 and an end recess 120. The end protrusion 118 can be similar to the first protrusion 106 and the second protrusion 112, as described above; and the end recess 120 can be similar to the first recess 108 and the second recess 114, as described above. When a second main panel is rotated to face a first main panel, the end protrusion 118 of the first main panel can align with an end recess 120 on the second main panel. This can help to interlock the two main panels 102 along one end to provide further axial support between the two panels. A stop ledge 126 can be positioned at one end of the product cavity 122 (i.e., proximate the end face 116) so as to provide a support for one end of the product being stored therein.

[0033] An end opposite the end face 116 that includes the end protrusion 118 and end recess 120 can also include one or more protrusions or recesses to provide support to the other end of the main panel 102. Alternatively, the end opposite the end face 116 described above can include a product opening 124 that opens into a product cavity 122 (as shown in FIG. 1 A). The product opening 124 can be a hole or recess that enables a product to be inserted into the bottle cavity when two adjacent main panels 102 are interlocked. This type of loading from one end is described in greater detail below with reference to FIGs. 5A-5F.

[0034] The product cavity 122 can be sized and shaped to hold the product being stored in the system. For example, the product cavity 122 can be semi-circular, as shown in FIGs. 1 A- 1C, to accommodate a circular bottle, such as a wine bottle. Further, the size and dimensions of the product cavity can be manufactured to accommodate different size products. Using a bottle as an example, the dimensions of the product cavity 122 can also be modified based on the dimensions of the particular bottle being stored in the main panel(s) 102, since bottles can take many different shapes and sizes (e.g., piccolo or split (187.5 ml), demi or half (375 ml), standard (750 ml), magnum (1.5 L), double magnum (3.0 L), etc.). In other examples, the product cavities can take other shapes, such as squared shapes to accommodate square bottles, such as spirit bottles. The product cavity can also include any other shape and size to accommodate other types of products besides bottles.

[0035] It is also contemplated that each main panel 102 can accommodate and store more than one product. The main panel 102 shown in FIGs. 1 A-1C, for example, shows a main panel that can store three bottles via three separate product cavities 122, which is in accordance with the present description. Each of the product cavities 122 is separated by a partition 128 that can act to separate products stored in adjacent product cavities 122. Although the example main panel 102 shown in FIGs. 1 A-1C shows three product cavities 122, it is contemplated that the casing systems described herein can accommodate fewer, or more, products. To again use a bottle as an example, the main panel 102 can be molded to have a single product cavity 122 to store one bottle, or can be molded to have two or more product cavities 122 (e.g., only a single partition 128). In addition, a length of the main panel 102 can be increased to accommodate multiple products stacked on top of each other, thereby increasing the quantity of products being stored in the storage system.

[0036] Referring again to FIG. 1A, each product cavity 122 can include one or more dampening recesses 130 molded into the base of the product cavity 122. The dampening recess(es) 130 can be used to provide support to the products in the assembled case for systems where the product cavity 122 is not as deep as the depth of the main panel 102. Referring to FIG. 1C to illustrate, the view provides an example of how the dampening recess(es) 130 can extend in the rear direction (i.e., rear face) of the main panel 102. FIG. 1C further shows the rear face of the various recesses and protrusions of the molded main panel 102. FIGs. ID and IE show a left plan view and a right plan view, respectively, of the main panel 102. The views provide an illustration of how the protrusions on one side of the panel can align with recesses on the other side of the panel.

[0037] FIGs. 2A-2D show an end panel 202, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As described above, some examples of the main panels 102 have a product opening 124 disposed on at least one end of the main panel 102, thereby providing an option to load a product within the product cavities 122 (as shown in FIGs. 5A-5F). In these systems, when two main panels 102 are combined to create the enclosure for the product, the two adjacent product openings 124 provide apertures to receive the product. These one or more apertures can be covered by the end panel 202, thereby securing the product within the system. [0038] Each end panel 202 can be molded, similar to the process for the main panel described above, to include the features to store and hold the product(s) stored in the assembled system. The end panel 202 can include one or more holding protrusions 206 extending from an end face 204 (e.g., a flat surface of the end panel 202). These one or more holding protrusions 206 can include a holding recess 208 molded into the interior of each holding protrusion 206. The holding recess 208 can be sized and shaped to hold an end of the product being stored in two adjacent main panels 102. For example, the holding recess 208 shown in FIG. 2A is round, which can correspond to the round neck of a wine bottle. Other shapes can be molded into the holding protrusion(s) 206 so as to hold differently-shaped product ends. FIG. 2A is a bottom plan view of an exemplary end panel 202; FIG. 2B is a top plan view of an exemplary end panel 202; FIG. 2C is a left plan view of an exemplary end panel 202; and FIG. 2D is a right plan view of an exemplary end panel 202.

[0039] FIGs. 3 A and 3B are views of two main panels 102 interlocked, showing how a product can be stored therein. Both figures indicate how a first protrusion 106 of the first main panel 102 can engage a second recess 114 of a second main panel 102, and a second protrusion on the second main panel 102 can engage with a first recess 108 on the first main panel 102. The figures show a bottle 300 stored between the two interlocked main panels 102. At one end of the combined system is the stop ledge 126 that holds the bottom of the bottle. At the other end is an end panel 202 to hold the neck of the bottle. FIG. 3B shows a perspective view, indicating how this particular set of main panels 102 can hold three bottles, which is exemplary and non-limiting, as described above.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of main panels 102 and end panels 202 stacked for shipment, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. One aspect of the systems described herein is that they can be molded to stack (or nest) within each other so as to decrease the shipping volume required to send the system to the end user. In the present system, a first main panel 102 can be stackable with a second main panel 102 such that a front face (i.e., the foreground of FIG. 1A) of the second main panel abuts a rear face of the first main panel (i.e., the foreground of FIG. 1C). Further, since the present main panels 102 can utilize a single shape in order to interlock (i.e., two of the same main panels 102 can be interlocked), there is no need to manufacturer two different types of main panels to ships to the end user. This further decreases the shipping and transport burden of the product cases described herein.

[0041] It is contemplated that main panel 102 and the end panel 202 can be manufactured from a variety of materials, depending on the desired characteristics of the panel(s). For example, and not limitation, a main panel 102 and/or end panel 202 can comprise paper-pulp, other fiber-pulps, cardboard, or plastics. Manufacturing of the various panels described herein can be completed by dry or wet pulping, and/or dry forming product shapes using layers of fiber, heat, and pressure to form shapes.

[0042] In some embodiments, the components can comprise a biomass material. In particular, bottles, a product that can be stored in the present systems, can originate from a facility having an excess of biomass byproducts. These byproducts can include vine clippings, grape seeds, grape skins, barley, rye, sugarcane, and/or the like. In some embodiments, a biomass material can be included in any of the described materials. For example, a panel can include vine clippings, grape seeds, grape skins, barley, rye, sugarcane, and/or the like or any combinations thereof. The biomass material can make up any part of the material by weight, depending on the desired characteristics of the particular panel. It is contemplated that the biomass material can make up approximately 20-80% (e.g., from approximately 40% to approximately 60%) of the panel material by weight, or more (e.g. from approximately 80% to approximately 100%).

[0043] FIGs. 5A-5F show an example process for using a storage system using multiple interlocking main panels 102 and an end panel 202, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In FIG. 5 A, two of the same main panels 102 can be interlocked to form a combined product cavity 122 to receive a product. The two interlocked main panels 102 can be inserted into an outer box 500. The outer box 500 can be a cardboard box, as shown, or any other type of outer case, including wooden cases, fiber pulp cases, and the like. In FIG. 5B, the two interlocked main panels 102 are fully seated into the outer box 500.

[0044] In FIG. 5C, the product, in this example bottles 300, can be inserted into the product cavities 122 of the two interlocked main panels 102. Once the bottles are seated within the two interlocked main panels 102, an end panel 202 can be inserted to cover the open end of the combined case. The end panel 202 in this case can cover and hold the necks of the bottles 300. In FIG. 5E, an insert 502 can be added to cover the top of the end panel 202 so as to cover the backside of the formed holding protrusions 206, as shown in FIG. 5F. The outer box 500 can then be closed and set out for shipment. It is also contemplated that more than one combined system can be stacked and added into a single outer box 500 to storage and shipment. For example, the outer box 500 can be wider so as to enable two closed systems (e.g., two sets of (i) two main panels 102 and (ii) one end panel) in a single outer box 500. It is also contemplated that three or more sets of closed systems can be placed in a single outer box 500.

[0045] Aspects of the invention are also provided by the following numbered clauses: [0046] Clause 1: A storage system comprising: a first main panel comprising: a first side face comprising a first protrusion adjacent to a first recess; a second side face comprising a second recess adjacent to a second protrusion; and a first product cavity disposed between the first side face and the second side face, wherein the first protrusion and the second recess are positioned at a first distance from a first end of the first main panel, and wherein the first recess and the second protrusion are positioned at a second distance from the first end of the first main panel.

[0047] Clause 2: The storage system of Clause 1, wherein: the first protrusion of the first main panel is sized to engage a second recess of a second main panel substantially the same as the first main panel, and the first recess of the first main panel is sized to engage a second protrusion of the second main panel.

[0048] Clause 3 : The storage system of Clause 2, wherein the first main panel is stackable with the second main panel such that a front face of the second main panel abuts a rear face of the first main panel.

[0049] Clause 4: The storage system of any of Clauses 1 to 3, wherein the first main panel further comprises an end face comprising an end protrusion and an end recess, the end protrusion being sized to engage an end recess on a second main panel substantially the same as the first main panel.

[0050] Clause 5 : The storage system of Clause 4, wherein the main panel further comprises a stop ledge disposed proximate the end face:

[0051] Clause 6: The storage system of any of Clauses 1 to 5, wherein a second end of the main panel opposite the first end includes a product opening.

[0052] Clause 7: The storage system of any of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein the main panel further comprises a dampening recess disposed along a length of the first product cavity: [0053] Clause 8: The storage system of any of Clauses 1 to 7, wherein the main panel further comprises: a second product cavity disposed between the first side face and the second side face; and a partition disposed between the first product cavity and the second product cavity.

[0054] Clause 9: The storage system of any of Clauses 1 to 8, further comprising an end panel comprising a holding protrusion extending from an end face, wherein the holding protrusion comprises a holding recess positioned within the holding protrusion.

[0055] Clause 10: The storage system of Clause 9 further comprising a second main panel substantially the same as the first main panel, wherein: the first protrusion of the first main panel is sized to engage a second recess of the second main panel, and the first recess of the first main panel is sized to engage a second protrusion of the second main panel.

[0056] Clause 11: The storage system of any of Clauses 1 to 10, wherein the main panel comprises a fiber-pulp material.

[0057] Clause 12: The storage system of Clause 11, wherein the fiber-pulp material comprises from between 40% and 60% biomass material by weight.

[0058] Clause 13: A molded panel sized and shaped to interlock with substantially similar molded panels, the molded panel comprising: a first side face comprising a first protrusion adjacent to a first recess; a second side face comprising a second recess adjacent to a second protrusion; and a first product cavity disposed between the first side face and the second side face, wherein the first protrusion and the second recess are positioned at a first distance from a first end of the molded panel, and wherein the first recess and the second protrusion are positioned at a second distance from the first end of the molded panel.

[0059] Clause 14: The molded panel of Clause 13, wherein: the first protrusion of the molded panel is sized to engage a second recess of a second main panel substantially the same as the molded panel, and the first recess of the molded panel is sized to engage a second protrusion of the second main panel.

[0060] Clause 15: The molded panel of Clause 14, wherein the molded panel is stackable with the second main panel such that a front face of the second main panel abuts a rear face of the molded panel.

[0061] Clause 16: The molded panel of any of Clauses 13 to 15, wherein the molded panel further comprises an end face comprising an end protrusion and an end recess, the end protrusion being sized to engage an end recess on a second main panel substantially the same as the molded panel.

[0062] Clause 17: The molded panel of Clause 16, wherein the main panel further comprises a stop ledge disposed proximate the end face.

[0063] Clause 18: The molded panel of any of Clauses 13 to 17, wherein a second end of the main panel opposite the first end includes a product opening.

[0064] Clause 19: The molded panel of any of Clauses 13 to 18, wherein the main panel further comprises a dampening recess disposed along a length of the first product cavity. [0065] Clause 20: The molded panel of any of Clauses 13 to 19, wherein the main panel further comprises: a second product cavity disposed between the first side face and the second side face; and a partition disposed between the first product cavity and the second product cavity. [0066] Clause 21: The molded panel of any of Clauses 13 to 20, wherein the main panel comprises a fiber-pulp material.

[0067] Clause 22: The molded panel of Clause 21, wherein the fiber-pulp material comprises from between 40% and 60% biomass material by weight.

[0068] It is to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. It is also to be understood that the embodiments and claims disclosed herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.

[0069] Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.

[0070] Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the public, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way. Instead, it is intended that the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A storage system comprising: a first main panel comprising: a first side face comprising a first protrusion adjacent to a first recess; a second side face comprising a second recess adjacent to a second protrusion; and a first product cavity disposed between the first side face and the second side face, wherein the first protrusion and the second recess are positioned at a first distance from a first end of the first main panel, and wherein the first recess and the second protrusion are positioned at a second distance from the first end of the first main panel.

2. The storage system of Claim 1, wherein: the first protrusion of the first main panel is sized to engage a second recess of a second main panel substantially the same as the first main panel, and the first recess of the first main panel is sized to engage a second protrusion of the second main panel.

3. The storage system of Claim 2, wherein the first main panel is stackable with the second main panel such that a front face of the second main panel abuts a rear face of the first main panel.

4. The storage system of Claim 1, wherein the first main panel further comprises an end face comprising an end protrusion and an end recess, the end protrusion being sized to engage an end recess on a second main panel substantially the same as the first main panel.

5. The storage system of Claim 4, wherein the main panel further comprises a stop ledge disposed proximate the end face.

6. The storage system of Claim 1, wherein a second end of the main panel opposite the first end includes a product opening.

7. The storage system of Claim 1, wherein the main panel further comprises a dampening recess disposed along a length of the first product cavity.

8. The storage system of Claim 1, wherein the main panel further comprises: a second product cavity disposed between the first side face and the second side face; and a partition disposed between the first product cavity and the second product cavity.

9. The storage system of Claim 1, further comprising an end panel comprising a holding protrusion extending from an end face, wherein the holding protrusion comprises a holding recess positioned within the holding protrusion.

10. The storage system of Claim 9, further comprising a second main panel substantially the same as the first main panel, wherein: the first protrusion of the first main panel is sized to engage a second recess of the second main panel, and the first recess of the first main panel is sized to engage a second protrusion of the second main panel.

11. The storage system of Claim 1, wherein the main panel comprises a fiber-pulp material.

12. The storage system of Claim 11, wherein the fiber-pulp material comprises from between 40% and 60% biomass material by weight.

13. A molded panel sized and shaped to interlock with substantially similar molded panels, the molded panel comprising: a first side face comprising a first protrusion adjacent to a first recess; a second side face comprising a second recess adjacent to a second protrusion; and a first product cavity disposed between the first side face and the second side face, wherein the first protrusion and the second recess are positioned at a first distance from a first end of the molded panel, and wherein the first recess and the second protrusion are positioned at a second distance from the first end of the molded panel.

14. The molded panel of Claim 13, wherein: the first protrusion of the molded panel is sized to engage a second recess of a second main panel substantially the same as the molded panel, and the first recess of the molded panel is sized to engage a second protrusion of the second main panel.

15. The molded panel of Claim 14, wherein the molded panel is stackable with the second main panel such that a front face of the second main panel abuts a rear face of the molded panel.

16. The molded panel of Claim 13, wherein the molded panel further comprises an end face comprising an end protrusion and an end recess, the end protrusion being sized to engage an end recess on a second main panel substantially the same as the molded panel.

17. The molded panel of Claim 16, wherein the main panel further comprises a stop ledge disposed proximate the end face.

18. The molded panel of Claim 13, wherein a second end of the main panel opposite the first end includes a product opening.

19. The molded panel of Claim 13, wherein the main panel further comprises a dampening recess disposed along a length of the first product cavity.

20. The molded panel of Claim 13, wherein the main panel further comprises: a second product cavity disposed between the first side face and the second side face; and a partition disposed between the first product cavity and the second product cavity.

21. The molded panel of Claim 13, wherein the main panel comprises a fiber-pulp material.

22. The molded panel of Claim 21, wherein the fiber-pulp material comprises from between 40% and 60% biomass material by weight.