High density packaging system

Abstract

Apparatus for high density packaging system for a floating water quality system. The packaging system includes a body and a pair of end caps. The body has an octagonal shape that receives the components of the water quality system. The octagonal shape increases the packing density compared to square or rectangular packaging sized to contain the floating water quality system. The end caps cover the open ends of the body. The packaging system includes a spool that receives a cable wound around a hub and a power supply inside the hub. A disc-shaped float fits adjacent the spool and fits snugly inside said body.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to a high density packaging system. More particularly, this invention pertains to a packaging system that contains a water quality system whereby the packaging system maximizes the number of packages on a pallet.

2. Description of the Related Art

Bulk shipping and transport is often accomplished by stacking packages and products on pallets. Pallets are rectangular and have standard dimensions. The standard configuration of the pallets aids in the handling and packing of palleted goods in vehicles, such as trucks and containers. The standard configuration of the pallets also aids in supporting the common package configuration, which is a box that is a rectangular prism, where multiple boxes are positioned side-by-side with no significant space therebetween. Efficient shipping and transport requires maximizing the density or quantity of products and packages on pallets.

The standard configuration of pallets and packages does not allow for efficient shipping of non-standard sized and shaped products and packages. Cylindrical, round, or oddly shaped products and packages have open space or gaps between them when positioned and packed side-by-side. The open space between the irregular shaped packages decreases the packing density on a pallet.

One way to increase the quantity of products and packages on a pallet is to ship component parts. For example, instead of having one package include all the component parts of a single product or kit, the component parts are packaged together with like component parts with the product or kit assembled at the destination. A disadvantage of shipping in such a manner is that labor for assembly is distributed between the shipping location and the receiving location.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a high density packaging system for a floating water quality system is provided. One type of floating water quality system includes a disc-shaped float, a power supply, an underwater device such as a transducer and/or sensor, and one or more cables. The high density packaging system has an octagonal shape that allows for a 25% increase in shipping density when using conventional-sized pallets. The flat surfaces of the octagonal shape that are at 45 degrees from sides of the pallet allow the adjacent packing systems to be positioned closer than would be possible with square packaging. In another embodiment, the packaging system has 16 sides instead of the 8 sides for the octagonal shape system. With 16 sides, there are still sides that are at 45 degrees relative to the sides of the pallet, thereby allowing adjacent packaging systems to butt against each other.

The high density packaging system includes a container defined by a body and two end caps. The body is formed from a planar sheet that is folded into an octagonal shape. The body is sized to receive the float. The float is secured between opposing flats of the body. Each of the end caps engage one end of the body, thereby enclosing the space inside the body.

The high density packaging system includes at least one reel or spool and packaging for one or more underwater devices. The reel is configured to receive the cable that is wound around the reel hub. The reel hub is sized to receive the power supply and the mounting attachment extending from the bottom of the float. The packaging, in one embodiment, includes two boxes. Each of the boxes is configured to receive and contain one of the underwater devices. In one such embodiment, the packaging includes a filler box positioned adjacent the boxes for the underwater devices. In this way, the two types of boxes fill the horizontal space above the reel and float. Also, the filler box is used to store accessories, such as hardware, manuals, and/or a float flag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description read together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a plurality of high density packaging systems on a pallet.

FIG. 2 is a front and top view of one embodiment of the packaging system.

FIG. 3 is an exploded diagram showing a first embodiment of a high density packaging system.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the first embodiment of the packaging system.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a second embodiment of the packaging system.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of one embodiment of a body of the packaging system.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the embodiment of the body illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of one embodiment of an end cap of the packaging system.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the embodiment of the end cap illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the spool.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of one embodiment of the inner packaging, or box, for the submerged device.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the embodiment of the inner packaging, or box, for the submerged device.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of one embodiment of the inner spacer.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the embodiment of the inner spacer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Apparatus for a high density packaging system for a floating water quality device is disclosed. The high density packaging system is generally indicated as 100, with particular embodiments and variations shown in the figures and described below having an alphabetic suffix, for example, 100-A and 100-B. Various components are illustrated both generically and specifically in the figures and in the following description. For example, the inner packaging 304-A, 304-B is discussed individually and separately to ensure clarity when describing the configuration of each inner packaging 304-A, 304-B. The inner packaging 304, when referred to collectively, is referenced without the alphanumeric suffix.

References to spatial orientation, for example, top and bottom, are in reference to the packaging system 100 as it would normally be deployed on a pallet 102, such as illustrated in FIG. 1. That is, the end cap 202-A is located at the top of the container 110, and the end cap 202-B is located at the bottom of the container 110. The sides 206 are the flat portions of the container 110 between the top and bottom of the container 110.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a plurality of high density packaging systems 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, 100-5 on a pallet 102. FIG. 2 illustrates a front and top view of one embodiment of the packaging system 100. The illustrated pallet 102 is a conventional 40 inch by 48 inch pallet. Generally, products are packaged in boxes having the shape of a rectangular prism. A layer of only four such rectangular boxes containing the same product that fits in the packaging system 100 would fit on the conventional pallet 102. As shown in FIG. 1, a layer of five packaging systems 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, 100-5 fit the pallet 102, which is a 25% increase in product density for the same size pallet 102.

The packaging system 100 includes a container 110 that is defined by body 204 and two end caps 202-A, 202-B. The body 204 has a regular octagonal prism shape, that is, it has eight equally sized sides. The body 204 is open on the two ends. The top of the body 204 is covered with an end cap 202-A and the bottom of the body 204 is covered with an end cap 202-B. The octagonal shape of the packaging system 100 has four sides 206 oriented at 45 degrees relative to the sides of the pallet 102, when the other four sides 206 are oriented parallel to the sides of the pallet 102. A fifth packaging system 100-3 is positioned such that the 45 degree sides 206 of the fifth system 100-3 are in contact with one side 206 of the other systems 100-1, 100-2, 100-4, 100-5, thereby creating a frictional engagement between adjacent packaging systems 100. In this way, multiple packaging systems 100 have a unitary structural configuration that is easily maintained with a stretch film wrap that is wrapped around the multiple packaging systems 100 on the pallet 102. The packaging system 100 with sides 206 at 45 degrees have an advantage over round packaging systems in which the curved sides offer no support for adjacent round packaging systems.

FIG. 1 illustrates four containers 110-1, 110-2, 110-4, 110-5 arranged in a rectilinear pattern on the pallet 102. The rectilinear pattern is formed by lines parallel with the sides of the pallet 106. In the center of the four containers 110-1, 110-2, 110-4, 110-5 is a fifth container 100-3. The fifth container 100-3 has four sides 206 that are in contact with a side 206 of each one of the four containers 110-1, 110-2, 110-4, 110-5. In one embodiment, each of the five containers 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 110-4, 110-5 frictionally engage the adjacent ones of the containers 110 such that the containers 110 are substantially stationary while on the pallet 102. In one such embodiment, plastic stretch film is wrapped around the grouped five containers 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 110-4, 110-5, holding the containers 110 together on the pallet 102. Although FIG. 1 illustrates five containers 110, a person skilled in the art will recognize that the number of containers 110 that can be positioned or packed on a pallet 102 is determined by the relative dimensions of the containers 110 and the pallet 110.

In another embodiment, the container 110 defined by the body 204 and the end caps 202 have sixteen-sides 206 instead of the illustrated eight sides 206. The sixteen-sided embodiment of the container 110 has four sides 206 oriented at 45 degrees relative to the sides of the pallet 102 that function the same way as the 45 degree sides 206 on the eight-sided embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded diagram showing a first embodiment of a high density packaging system 100-A. FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the first embodiment of the packaging system 100-A. The packaging system 100-A is configured to accommodate one embodiment of a floating water quality system that includes an underwater device 322, float 324-A, a power supply 326, a cable 328-A, and accessories. The illustrated underwater device 322 is a sonic head that includes one or more ultrasonic transducers configured to be suspended beneath the float 324-A. In another embodiment, the underwater device 322 is a water quality sensor configured to be suspended beneath the float 324-A. The underwater device 322 has an irregular shape. The float 324-A has a disk-shape, that is, it has a sidewall with a cylindrical configuration. The float 324-A is configured with a mounting attachment at the bottom that fits with the reel core 310. A power supply 326 fits within the reel core 310. The cable 328-A includes the wiring used to interconnect the underwater device 322 and the power supply 326. The accessories are contained in a box 302, The accessories includes one or more of hardware, an instruction/assembly manual, a user manual, and a flag configured to extend from the top of the float 324-A.

At the top, an end cap 202-A is sized and configured to engage the top of the body 204-A. At the bottom, an end cap 202-B is sized and configured to engage the bottom of the body 204-A. The end caps 202-A, 202-B engage the outer surface of the body 204, thereby providing corner strength and protection.

A reel, or spool, 312 is sized and configured to fit inside the body 204. The spool 312 includes a pair of flanges 306-A, 306-B, a hub or core 310 and a spacer 308. The flanges 306-A, 306-B have an outer diameter dimensioned to fit snugly within the body 204-A. The hub 306 engages the two flanges 306-A, 306-B with the spacer 308 engaging the inside of the hub 306 with a snug fit. The hub 306 has an inside diameter sized to receive the power supply 326. The cable 328-A is wound around the hub 308 such that the cable 328-A is constrained by the flanges 306-A, 306-B and the inside of the body 204-A.

The float 324-A has a disc-shape with a mounting attachment extending from the bottom surface. The float 324-A fits snugly in the body 204 of the container 110. That is, the float 324-A has a diameter that is substantially the same as the distance between the inside surface of parallel panels 602 of the body 204. The mounting attachment of the float 324-A extends into the hub 306 above the power supply 326. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacer 306 is proximate the lower end cap 202-B. In another embodiment, the power supply 328 is proximate the lower end cap 202-B with the spacer 308 positioned between the power supply 328 and the mounting attachment extending from the float 324-A.

Boxes 304-A, 304-B, 302 that fill the horizontal space above the float 324-A. One type of the boxes 304 are configured to receive and contain the underwater devices 322. In the illustrated embodiment, the underwater device 322 is a sonic head that includes one or more ultrasonic transducers. Two of the boxes 304-A, 304-B are configured to enclose the irregularly shaped underwater device 322.

Between the boxes 304-A, 304-B is a filler box 302 sized and configured to fit between the two device-holding boxes 304-A, 304-B. In addition to filling the space between the boxes 304-A, 304-B, the filler box 302 holds various accessories for the floating water quality system. The accessories include hardware, one or more manuals, and/or a flag for attaching to the top of the float 324-A. The hardware accessories include fasteners, chains, and/or rope.

Between the top of the boxes 304-A, 304-B, 302 and inside bottom of the upper end cap 202-A is a flat spacer 330. The flat spacer 330 is optional. The spacer 330 is used when there is a space between the top of the boxes 304-A, 304-B, 302 and inside bottom of the upper end cap 202-A. The spacer 330 can be used when it is desired to fill the space to prevent the upper end cap 202-A from crushing or displacing inward.

In another embodiment, the 306 has an inside diameter sized to receive the underwater device 322 and the power supply 326. In one such embodiment, the boxes 304-A, 304-B, 304 are not used. In yet another embodiment, the 306 has an inside diameter sized to receive at least a portion of the underwater device 322 and the power supply 326. In such an embodiment with a portion of the underwater device 322 extending from the spool 312, packing is positioned adjacent the flange 306 such that the extended portion of the underwater device 322 is protected and/or packed. A person skilled in the art will recognize that various irregularly shaped and/or small components can be fitted inside the container 110 so as to minimize the height of the container 110.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of the packaging system 100-B. The packaging system 100-B is configured to accommodate another embodiment of a floating water quality system that includes two underwater devices 322, two floats 324-A, 324-B, two power supplies 326, two spooled cables 328-A, 328-B, and accessories.

The illustrated embodiment of the packaging system 100-B has a body 204-B that is taller than the body 204-A shown in FIG. 4. The taller body 204-B accommodates a second float 324-B and a second spool 312-B with a second cable 328-B.

In the illustrated embodiment, each one of two underwater devices 322 are contained within one of the two boxes 304-A, 304-B. That is, each box 304-A, 304-B contains one underwater device 322.

A person skilled in the art will recognize that the order of placement inside the body 204 can vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. That is, In one embodiment, the spool(s) 312 are positioned at the bottom of the body 204 with the float(s) 328 positioned above the spool(s) 312. In another embodiment, the float(s) 328 positioned below the spool(s) 312. In the illustrated embodiment, the spool(s) 312 and the float(s) 328 are positioned alternatingly in the body 204.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of a body 204 of the packaging system 100. FIG. 7 illustrates a an isometric view of the embodiment of the body 204 illustrated in FIG. 6. The body 204 is formed from a planar sheet 604 (shown in FIG. 6) that is folded into a deployed octagonal shape shown in FIG. 7. The planar sheet 604 is stiff and rigid such that it maintains its deployed shape.

The body 204 is made of a single piece 604 divided into eight panels 602-A, 602-B, 602-C, * * * 602-H and an end tab 606. In various embodiments the piece 604 is a material that is rigid and stiff when in its deployed state as shown in FIG. 7. For example, the piece 604 is a materiel such as cardboard, paperboard, mat board, or pressed cardboard. In one such embodiment, the piece 604 is a corrugated material, such as a single face cardboard, a single-wall, double face cardboard, or a double-wall cardboard.

The body panels 602-A, 602-B, 602-C, * * * 602-H are divided by lines of weakness 612-A, 612-B, 612-C, * * * 612-H. In one embodiment, the lines of weakness 612 are where the material of body piece 604 is compressed linearly, such as when the material is corrugated material. In another embodiment, the lines of weakness 612 are defined by a line of perforations in the material of the body piece 604. In such an embodiment, each line of weakness 612 is a linear series of perforations that are sized and configured to allow the body piece 604 to fold at the lines of weakness 612 to form the panels 602 without the panels 602 separating.

As shown in FIG. 7, the body piece 604 is folded at the lines of weakness 612 with the outer surface of the end tab 606 affixed to the inside surface of the opposite body panel 602-A, thereby defining the deployed configuration of the body 204. In one embodiment, the tab 606 is affixed to the inside surface of the opposite body panel 602-A with an adhesive. In another embodiment, the tab 606 is affixed to the inside surface of the opposite body panel 602-A by staples or other mechanical type fasteners.

The deployed configuration of the body 604 has an octagonal shape with a top 702 that is open and a bottom 704 that is open. The eight panels 602 extend between the top 702 and the bottom 704.

FIG. 8 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of an end cap 202 of the packaging system 100. FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of the embodiment of the end cap 202 illustrated in FIG. 8. The end caps 202 are formed from a planar sheet 802 (shown in FIG. 8) that is folded into a deployed configuration as shown in FIG. 9. The planar sheet 802 is stiff and rigid such that it maintains its deployed shape.

Each end cap 202 is made of a single piece 802 that includes a cap section 808 and eight connected sidewalls 804-A, 804-B, 804-C, 804-D, 806-A, 806-B, 806-C, 806-D. In various embodiments the piece 802 is a material that is rigid and stiff when in its deployed state as shown in FIG. 7. For example, the piece 802 is a materiel such as cardboard, paperboard, mat board, or pressed cardboard. In one such embodiment, the piece 802 is a corrugated material, such as a single face cardboard, a single-wall, double face cardboard, or a double-wall cardboard.

The single piece 802 is folded at the lines of weakness 814, 816, 818, 824 to form the deployed configuration illustrated in FIG. 9. In one embodiment, the lines of weakness 814, 816, 818, 824 are where the material of body piece 802 is compressed linearly, such as when the material is corrugated material. In another embodiment, the lines of weakness 814, 816, 818, 824 are defined by a line of perforations in the material of the body piece 802. In such an embodiment, each line of weakness 814, 816, 818, 824 is a linear series of perforations that are sized and configured to allow the body piece 802 to fold at the lines of weakness 814, 816, 820, 824.

The single piece 802 includes two sets of sidewalls 804, 806. The first set of sidewalls 804-A, 804-B, 804-C, 804-D are configured to be held captive by the second set of sidewalls 806-A, 806-B, 806-C, 806-D. Each one of the first set of sidewalls 804 have a portion extending between two lines of weakness 824-1, 824-2. The distal ends 834 of each one the first set of sidewalls 804 past the two lines of weakness 824 extend into a portion of the second set of sidewalls 806 extending between two lines of weakness 814, 816. With the first set of sidewalls 804 folded into the deployed configuration, the portion extending distal to the line of weakness 814 is perpendicular to the plane of the cap section 808 and the portion of the first set of sidewalls 804 extending distal to the line of weakness 824 is aligned with the line of weakness 818 of the adjacent one of the second set of sidewalls 806.

The second set of sidewalls 806-A, 806-B, 806-C, 806-D are folded after the first set of sidewalls 804-A, 804-B, 804-C, 804-D are folded. In this way, the first set of sidewalls 804 are held captive by the second set of sidewalls 806 with the end cap 802 in the deployed configuration illustrated in FIG. 9. With the first set of sidewalls 804 folded into the deployed configuration, the second set of sidewalls 806 are folded at the lines of weakness 816, 818 such that the distal ends 834 of the first set of sidewalls 804 are sandwiched by the second set of sidewalls 806.

The single piece 802 includes four rectangular openings 820 that receive the corresponding tab 810 when the second set of sidewalls 806 is folded. In this way, the end cap 202 is locked into the deployed configuration illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of the spool, or reel, 312. The spool 312 is configured and dimensioned to have the cable 328 wound the outside of the hub 310 without the cable 328 extending past the outer diameter of the flanges 306 and the hub is dimensioned to receive the power supply 326 within.

The spool 312 includes a first flange 306-A, a hub, or core, 310, a second flange 306-B, and a spacer 308. The flanges 306-A, 306-B are configured for the distal ends 1010-A, 1010-B of the hub 310 to mate to the flange openings 1006-A, 1006-B of the flanges 306-A, 306-B. In one embodiment, the distal ends 1010-A, 1010-B of the hub 310 are affixed to the corresponding flanges 306-A, 306-B. In one such embodiment, an adhesive secures the hub 310 to the flanges 306-A, 306-B.

In one embodiment, the flange openings 1006 are sized to receive the distal ends 1010 within the openings 1006. In another embodiment, the flange openings 1006 are sized to have the same diameter as the inside diameter of the hub 310 with each of the distal ends 1010 of the hub 310 adhered to the adjacent face of the flange 306.

The spacer 308 is configured and dimensioned to fit inside the hub 310. In this way, the hub 310 maintains its cylindrical shape when the cable 328 is wound around the hub 310. In one embodiment, the spacer 308 is sized to have a snug fit inside the hub 310. In another embodiment, the spacer 308 is affixed inside the spacer 308, such as by an adhesive.

The hub 310 includes an opening 1004 dimensioned to receive an end of the cable 328. The end of the cable 328 is inserted into the opening 1004 before winding the cable 328 onto the spool 312. In this way, the end of the cable 328 is secured during winding. In one embodiment, the end of the cable 328 extending into the hub 310 through the opening 1004 is long enough for an electrical connector to be attached after the cable 328 is wound on the reel 312. For example, the cable 328 protruding into the hub 310 has a length of one meter. The excess length of cable 328 passing into the hub 310 is coiled inside the hub 310.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of one embodiment of the inner packaging, or box, 304 for each of the underwater devices, such as the transducer 322 illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the embodiment of the box 304. The box 304 is formed from a planar sheet 1100 (shown in FIG. 11) that is folded into a deployed configuration as shown in FIG. 12. The planar sheet 1100 is stiff and rigid such that it maintains its deployed shape.

Each box 304 is made of a single piece 1100 that is folded along lines of weakness 1140, 1142, 1144, 1148 to form the deployed configuration illustrated in FIG. 12. The box 304 includes a top 1110, a bottom 1112, an outer side panel 1102, an inner side panel 1108, left and right side panels 1106, 1104, and two beveled side panels 1114, 1116.

To form the deployed configuration of the box 304, the vertical lines of weakness 1144 are folded with the side tab 1124-S inserted into the slot 1138 in the side flap 1128 extending from the inner side panel 1108. The top flaps 1122-T, 1124-T, 1126-T and the bottom flaps 1122-B, 1124-B, 1126-B of the side panels 1102, 1104, 1106 are folded at the lines of weakness 1148 extending across the planar sheet 1100 such that the flaps 1122, 1124, 1126 extend toward the center of the deployed configuration of the box 304.

The bottom 1112 is folded at the lines of weakness 1148-B, 1142 such that the bottom of the box 304 is closed. The bottom flap 1122 is folded at the line of weakness 1142 with the bottom tab 1122-B inserted into the slot 1132 in the bottom front flap 1122 extending from the bottom 1112.

After the underwater device 322 is inserted into the box 304, along with any other packing material, the top 1110 is folded at the lines of weakness 1148-T, 1140 such that the top of the box 304 is closed. The top flap 1120 is folded at the line of weakness 1140 with the top front tab 1122-T inserted into the slot 1130 in the top flap 1120 extending from the top 1110. In this way, the underwater device 322 is enclosed in the box 304 and ready to be inserted into the body 204.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of one embodiment of an inner spacer 302. FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the embodiment of the inner spacer 302. The dimensions and size of the boxes 304 varies depending up the size and configuration of the underwater devices 322. The inner spacer 302 is sized and configured to be positioned between the pair of boxes 304 when those boxes 304 do not fill the horizontal space in the body 204 of the packaging system 100. In other embodiments, conventional packing, such as crumpled kraft paper, is positioned between the pair of boxes 304 when those boxes 304 do not fill the horizontal space in the body 204 of the packaging system 100.

The spacer 302 is made of a single piece 1300 that is folded along lines of weakness 1326, 1328 to form the deployed configuration illustrated in FIG. 14. The planar sheet 1300 is stiff and rigid such that it maintains its deployed shape.

The spacer 302 includes a front panel 1302, an inside back panel 1306, an outside back panel 1304, a top panel 1314, and a bottom panel 1316. In the deployed configuration illustrated in FIG. 14, the inside back panel 1306 is positioned next to the outside back panel 1304, with a notch 1318 in the panels 1306, 1304 on each open end.

The top panel 1314 includes an opening 1308. The opening 1308 is sized and configured to allow a human to grasp the spacer 302 for movement and placement inside the body 204 of the system 100.

The high density packaging system 100 includes various functions. The function of providing an environmentally friendly packaging system is implemented, in one embodiment, by the planar sheets 604, 802, 1100, 1300 and the spool 312 using materiel that is readily recycled and/or decomposable, such as cardboard, paperboard, mat board, or pressed cardboard.

The function of maintaining the shape of the high density packaging system 100 is implemented, in one embodiment, by using a rigid material, such as corrugated cardboard, for the body 204 of the system. In another embodiment, the function of maintaining the shape of system 100 is implemented by the lines of weakness 602 in the body 204.

The function of increasing packing density over that of rectangular boxes is implemented, in one embodiment, by the octagonal shape of the body 204 and end caps 202 where the container 110 has a length and width defined by the diameter of the float 324. That is, the distance between parallel panels 602 inside the body 204 is substantially the same as the diameter of the float 324.

From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a high density packaging system 100 has been provided.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a high density packaging system, said apparatus comprising: a body having an octagonal shape, said body having a top that is open and a bottom that is open, said body having eight panels joined together between said top and said bottom;a first end cap configured to engage said bottom of said body, said first end cap including a first cap and eight first sidewalls, said first cap covering said bottom;a second end cap configured to engage said top of said body, said second end cap including a second cap and eight second sidewalls, said second cap covering said top, said body, said first end cap, and said second end cap define a first container;a spool having a pair of flanges on opposite ends of a hub, said hub having a cylindrical shape, said hub receiving a disc-shaped spacer, said spool receiving a length of cable wound around said hub, said spool positioned inside said body, said spool fitting inside said body snugly such that at least one of pair of flanges is in contact with more than one of said eight panels; anda float having a disc-shape, said float having a diameter substantially the same as the distance between parallel ones of said eight panels, said float fitting inside said body snugly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a first box containing an underwater device and a second box sized and dimensioned to fill a volume adjacent said first box when said first and second boxes are positioned in said body.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a power supply positioned inside said hub.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hub of said spool is sized to receive at least a part of an underwater device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a second container, a third container, a fourth container, and a fifth container all substantially the same as said first container, whereby said first, second, third, and fourth containers are positioned on a pallet in a rectilinear pattern with said fifth container positioned centrally between said first, second, third, and fourth containers, whereby said first, second, third, fourth, and fifth containers frictionally engage said fifth container.

6. An apparatus for a high density packaging system that contains a product with a cylindrical shape, said apparatus comprising: a body having a top that is open and a bottom that is open, said body having at least eight panels joined together between said top and said bottom, parallel ones of said at least eight panels define a gap that is at least the same as a diameter of the cylindrical shape of the product;a first end cap configured to engage said bottom of said body, said first end cap including a first cap and at least eight first sidewalls, said first cap covering said bottom;a second end cap configured to engage said top of said body, said second end cap including a second cap and at least eight second sidewalls, said second cap covering said top, said body, said first end cap, and said second end cap define a container; anda spool having a pair of flanges on opposite ends of a hub, said hub having a cylindrical shape, said hub receiving a disc-shaped spacer, whereby said spool is configured to receive a cable that is wound around said hub.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said body is formed from a planar sheet with a plurality of lines of weakness separating said eight panels, said planar sheet includes an end tab that is affixed to one of said eight panels at an opposite end of said planar sheet.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said at least eight panels number sixteen panels whereby said body has sixteen sides.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first and second end caps are each formed from a planar sheet with a plurality of lines of weakness separating a cap section from a plurality of sidewalls.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the product with the cylindrical shape includes the cable wound around said hub.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the product with the cylindrical shape includes a float that has a disc-shape.

12. An apparatus for a high density packaging system that contains a product with a cylindrical shape, said apparatus comprising: a container having at least eight sides, a flat top, and a flat bottom; anda spool inside said container, said spool dimensioned to fit between said at least eight sides with minimal lateral movement therebetween.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the product with the cylindrical shape includes a float that has a disc-shape, said float positioned inside said container with a snug fit.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said container includes a body having a top that is open and a bottom that is open, a first end cap configured to engage said bottom of said body, and a second end cap configured to engage said top of said body.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said spool includes a pair of flanges on opposite ends of a hub 310, said hub having a cylindrical shape, said hub receiving a disc-shaped spacer, whereby said spool is configured to receive a cable that is wound around said hub.