Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a storage container and assembly with multiple partitions.
The present disclosure relates generally to paperboard containers, and more particularly to enhanced strength partitioned containers. Existing divider systems are primarily configured for providing internal dividers within the box container perimeter. The dividers may be formed of interlocking sheets. The interlocking sheets commonly comprise interior divided cells, and perimeter cells that are open around the perimeter of the divider. Alternatively, interlocking divider partitions do not delineate a complete perimeter cell, but provide for an abbreviated perimeter cell that functions as an air cell around the perimeter of the divider.
These perimeter air cells result in a waste of a significant portion of the box container volume, and add weight to the divider system that does not provide for additional item cells. In addition, heavy items carried in the interior cells may shift and collapse the perimeter air cells, allowing additional shifting of the contents of the box container. Shifting can cause impact damage or lead to the collapse of a stack of box containers.
As box containers are frequently stacked and subjected to exterior forces during shipment and handling, a high level of structural strength is desired to withstand stacking and rough handling. Further, many of these containers have partition sections that divide the interior of the box container but provide little to no structural strength.
In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that alternatives to the interlocking divider systems known in the art that result in greater stacking strength and resistance to rough handling would improve efficiency in the shipping and manufacturing industries.
A partitioned container contains a plurality of individual compartments. The partitioned container may include a series of substantially parallel transverse panels. Each transverse panel having a partitioning section and two folding tab sections, said folding tab sections extend from each side of the partitioning section, respectively, and share a common side and bottom edge with the partitioning section. The partitioning sections have at least one slot extending from the bottom edge of each transverse panel upwardly. Each folding tab section may extend beyond the top edge of the partition section, thereby defining a separate top edge, and is configured to be folded along the side edge shared with the partitioning section. The partitioned container also includes a series of substantially parallel longitudinal panels. Each longitudinal panel also has a partitioning section and two folding tab sections, said folding tab sections each extending from either side of the partitioning section, respectively, and share a common side and bottom edge with the partitioning section. The partitioning sections having at least one slot extending from the top edge of each longitudinal panel downwardly. Each folding tab section may extend beyond the top edge of the partition section, thereby defining a separate top edge, and is configured to be folded along the side edge shared with the partitioning section.
The transverse panels and the longitudinal panels are perpendicularly disposed with the transverse panel slots being placed within the longitudinal panel slots to create a crate of individual compartments. The number of slots in each of the transverse and longitudinal panels may be varied depending on the number of interior partitions desired. The partitioned container also has at least one exterior panel. Embodiments of the exterior panel have a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. The exterior panels may have a tab and recess at one side edge and a mating tab and recess on the opposite side edge. Other embodiments of the exterior panel may have tabs at one edge and mating recesses corresponding to the tabs on the opposite edge. Still other embodiments of the exterior panels may have one or more tabs on one side edge that overlap a portion of the opposite edge when such an exterior panel is mated with a corresponding exterior panel to form the outer panels of a partitioned container assembly. Each panel has at least 1 vertical fold line. The exterior panels surround the assembly thereby forming an outside surface of the partitioned container. Each transverse panel folding tab section and each longitudinal panel folding tab section is secured to the exterior panels and the exterior panel tabs and recesses are mated. When thus secured, the tab sections, which as described previously herein, may extend beyond the top edge of the partition section. This extended tab portion, being secured to the exterior panels, contributes to the strength of the formed partition container, particularly in regard to compressive forces applied to the top and bottom edges of the exterior panels. As the partitioned containers may be stacked during use, this contributed strength may result in improved performance over partitioned containers without extended tab portions. In certain embodiments, the partitioned container may be completed by adding a lid and a bottom tray to create a partial or complete enclosure of the partitions formed within the container.
In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:
The disclosed partitioned container assembly is useful in shipping individual component parts in individual compartments so as to prevent damage to the component parts, for example, by parts bumping against each other during shipment. The disclosed partitioned container assembly can be shipped in a relatively flat, folded down configuration and then unfolded for insertion of component parts. The entire volume of the partitioned container may be used for storing component parts inasmuch as compartments fill the entire interior volume of the partitioned container. The disclosed partitioned container assembly contains folded tabs that provide additional structural strength, which is particularly helpful when stacking.
Referring initially to
Referring to
A longitudinal panel, indicated generally at 24, (
Referring additionally to
Tabs and recesses of panel 28 may be placed in mating relationship and affixed to the folding tab section of a transverse panel or longitudinal panel such as folding tab section 19, such as by adhesive, tape, bands, or other securing mechanism. Depending on the number of compartments desired, a plurality of panel 28's may be required to form the outside of the partitioned container. In such an embodiment, the number of fold lines for panel 28 will be adjusted accordingly. For example, in an embodiment using four panels to form a partitioned container, each panel may be formed with a single fold line. The combination of exterior panel 28's is configured to surround the entire exterior of the assembly as is illustrated in
Each transverse and longitudinal panel 16 and 24 may have the folded tab sections therein folded to be adhered to exterior panel 28 by adhesive, tape, or other securing mechanism. The process, then, may be repeated for forming all of the compartments and outside of each partitioned container.
The disclosed partitioned containers are configured such that it may be folded substantially flat for shipment. For example, from the place of manufacture of a partitioned container to a location where the container is filled with component parts for storage or shipment. Referring now to
Upon reaching a location where the container is to be used, the process shown in
Referring now additionally to
Referring to
Another embodiment of an exterior panel is illustrated in
Materials of construction for forming the partitioned containers may be a paperboard or corrugated material, such as, for example, cardboard, pasteboard, fiberboard, corrugated plastic sheets, or the like. However, other recyclable material having the necessary strength and rigidity for the particular application envisioned may be suitable. It will be appreciated that the wall construction thereof, i.e., single-ply, double-ply, or higher, may be varied depending upon the application. The partitioned containers and partitioned container assemblies will be described in particular reference to the use of corrugated paperboard; however, such description is illustrative and not a limitation on the present disclosure.
As is illustrated in
As is illustrated in
Test results show superior performance of the present invention when compared to prior art designs. In one test a partitioned container made in accordance with the present invention having substantially full coverage of the tabs (see for example at 19 in
While the partitioned containers have been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope and essence of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the partitioned container not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. All citations referred herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
While certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, the scope of the invention is not to be considered limited by such disclosure, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention as evidenced by the following claims:
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/665,997, filed on Feb. 7, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/825,227, filed on Nov. 29, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,242,172, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/971,097 filed Dec. 16, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,878,817, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/096,723 filed on Dec. 24, 2014, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully recited herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62096723 | Dec 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17665997 | Feb 2022 | US |
Child | 18671153 | US | |
Parent | 15825227 | Nov 2017 | US |
Child | 17665997 | US | |
Parent | 14971097 | Dec 2015 | US |
Child | 15825227 | US |