MODULAR CHANNEL PANEL

Abstract

A divider panel having a top end with an angled v-cut portion, a bottom end with an open slot and an angle v-cut portion, and a plurality of side walls, said divider panel additionally having a plurality of raised projections spaced out such that a horizontal channel and a vertical channel is formed between the projections. Two or more divider panels may be provided which removably mate together and thus create an interlocking panel shape. The dividers are placed within an existing shipping container or crate, and thus the shipping container has different chambers therein for the insertion of internal material such as fruit, vegetables, or nuts to be segmented into each of the different compartment segments. The channel or channels allows the free flow of air or liquid therein to allow for quick washing and uniform freezing of the internal material while in the shipping container.

Claims

1. A container divider, comprising: a panel having a front face, a rear face, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of sidewalls, wherein said bottom wall additionally comprises an open slot extending from said bottom wall upwardly; a plurality of raised projections upon the panel front face and extending therefrom, said front face raised projections additionally comprise a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side ends; wherein said front face raised projections are positioned such that a horizontal channel is formed therebetween; wherein said front face raised projections are positioned such that a vertical channel is formed therebetween; wherein at least one panel opening is positioned near the top end of the panel; wherein at least one panel opening is positioned near the bottom end of the panel; a plurality of raised projections upon the panel rear face and extending therefrom, said rear face raised projections additionally comprise a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side ends; wherein said rear face raised projections are positioned such that a horizontal channel is formed therebetween; and wherein said rear face raised projections are positioned such that a vertical channel is formed therebetween.

2. The container divider of claim 1, wherein the raised projections have a plurality of rounded corners thereon.

3. The container divider of claim 2, wherein a raised redirection spire is positioned on the front face of the panel and extended outwardly therefrom, said redirection spire additionally located between the rounded corners of a plurality of the front face raised projections.

4. The container divider of claim 3, wherein a raised redirection spire is positioned on the rear face of the panel and extended outwardly therefrom, said redirection spire additionally located between the rounded corners of a plurality of the rear face raised projections.

5. The container divider of claim 4, further comprising a V-Cut portion on the top wall of the panel.

6. The container divider of claim 5, further comprising a V-Cut portion on the bottom wall of the panel.

7. The container divider of claim 6, wherein a second container divider panel is provided, said second container divider panel comprising a front face, a rear face, a top wall with a V-Cut portion thereon, a bottom wall with a V-Cut portion thereon, and a plurality of sidewalls, wherein said bottom wall V-Cut portion additionally comprises an open slot extending from said bottom wall upwardly, and said second container divider panel open slot is adaptably received within the open slot of the first container divider panel.

8. The container dividers of claim 7, wherein the second container divider panel additionally comprises a plurality of raised projections upon the panel front face and extending therefrom, said front face raised projections additionally comprise a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side ends, and further comprising a plurality of raised projections upon the panel rear face and extending therefrom, said rear face raised projections additionally comprise a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side ends.

9. The container dividers of claim 8, wherein the second container divider panel front face raised projections are positioned such that a vertical channel and a horizontal channel is formed therebetween, and further wherein the second container divider panel rear face raised projections are positioned such that a vertical channel and a horizontal channel is formed therebetween.

10. The container dividers of claim 9, wherein the first container divider panel additionally comprises a second open slot extending from said bottom wall upwardly.

11. The container dividers of claim 10, wherein a third container divider panel is provided, said third container divider panel comprising a front face, a rear face, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of sidewalls, wherein said bottom wall additionally comprises an open slot extending from said bottom wall upwardly, and said third container divider panel open slot is adaptably received within the second open slot of the first container divider panel.

12. The container dividers of claim 11, further comprising an indent button located on the rear face of the panel.

13. The container dividers of claim 12, further comprising an indent receiver located on the front face of the panel.

14. A container divider comprising: A shipping container with a front end, a back end, two side ends, and a bottom end; a plurality of modular panels contained within said shipping container, each of the plurality of modular panels having a top end, a bottom end, a plurality of side walls, a rear wall and a front wall; an open slot at the bottom end of each modular panel, projected partially upwardly along the front wall and the rear wall; a plurality of raised projections extending from the front wall of each modular panel, each raised projection having a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side ends, positioned such that a vertical channel is formed surrounding said raised projections and further such that a horizontal channel is formed surrounding said raised projections; a plurality of raised projections from the rear wall of each modular panel, each raised projection having a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side ends, positioned such that a vertical channel is formed surrounding said raised projections and further such that a horizontal channel is formed surrounding said raised projections; wherein one of the plurality of modular panels is adaptably received within the open slot of said modular panel to the open slot of the second modular panel.

15. The container divider of claim 14, wherein the plurality of raised projections from the front wall of each of the modular panels, and the plurality of raised projections from the rear wall of each of the modular panels have rounded corners.

16. The container divider of claim 15, wherein each of the modular panels additionally comprise a plurality of panel fork openings positioned near the top end of each modular panel, and additionally comprise a plurality of panel for openings positioned near the bottom end of each modular panel.

17. The container divider of claim 16, wherein a roundabout redirection spire is positioned between each horizontal channel and vertical channel intersection point.

18. The container divider of claim 17, wherein the front wall of each modular panel additionally comprises an indent receiver, and further wherein the rear wall of each modular panel additionally comprises an indent button.

19. A method of assembling a channeled divider partition which creates a plurality of compartments inside of a shipping container, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a shipping container; (b) providing a plurality of panels having a top end having a v-cut portion, a bottom end having a v-cut portion, and a plurality of side walls; (c) providing an open slot at the bottom end of each of the panels, each open slot projected upwardly; (d) providing a plurality of raised projections from the rear wall, each raised projection having a top end with an additional portion of material thereon, a bottom end with an additional portion of material thereon, and a plurality of side ends, positioned such that a channel is formed surrounding said raised projection; (e) interlocking the plurality of panels by mating said panels at the open slot of each panel therefore; (f) positioning the plurality of panels within the shipping container; (g) providing a quantity of fruit; (h) placing the quantity of fruit within the shipping container; (i) providing a fan circulated freezer room; and (j) positioning the shipping container and fruit contained therein within the fan circulated freezer room.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of supplying air by way of air supply lines within the channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0030] One or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout and in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the Modular Channel Panel;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the roundabout intersection of the Modular Channel Panel highlighting redirection spires therein;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of a preferred embodiment of the Modular Channel Panel with the rear face of the panel shown;

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of a preferred embodiment of the Modular Channel Panel with the front face of the panel shown;

[0035] FIG. 5 is a side view of the raised projections of an embodiment of the Modular Channel Panel;

[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective side view of a preferred embodiment of the Modular Channel Panel highlighting the spires and projection widths;

[0037] FIG. 7 is a close-up view of a preferred embodiment of the Modular Channel Panel wherein the rear face panel is shown with a multitude of open slots, each having reinforced material therein;

[0038] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the Modular Channel Panel wherein the Modular Channel Panel is interlocked an in an X position with a second Modular Channel Panel and positioned within a shipping container; and

[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates a method of assembling a Modular Channel Panel within a shipping container for use with fruit contained within a fan circulated freezer room.

[0040] Before explaining one or more embodiments of the disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited in its application to the details or modes of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or previously disclosed illustrations. This invention is capable of multiple embodiments and modes, which can be practiced or carried out in many various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description, and should not be regarded as limiting, or used as an absolute.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a Modular Channel Panel 10 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. Shown here is a panel 20 highlighting the front face wall 90. The panel 20 consists of a top wall 30, a bottom wall 40, and two side walls 50. The top wall 30 additionally comprises an angled V-Cut 110, which here the two V-Cut side walls 115 create an approximately 140-degree angled portion, though it is known that larger or smaller angles are within the spirit of this disclosure.

[0042] Similarly, the bottom wall 40 has a lowered angle V-Cut 120, where the lower V-Cut side walls 116 create an angled portion. Within the lower angle V-Cut 120 is an open slot 60, extending from the bottom wall 40 upwardly to a point now as the slot wall 70, which defines the area of the open slot 60. As will be shown and appreciated later, the open slot 60 allows for mating of panels 20.

[0043] The raised projections 100 upon the panel 20 extend beyond the face wall 90, creating a raised projection width 130. The raised projections 100 are shown in a grid pattern, or a crosshatch pattern, of which creates both a uniform horizontal channel 155, as well as a uniform vertical channel 150. The raised projection width 130 may be increased or decreased, which in turn creates a deeper or shallower vertical channel 150 or horizontal channel 155, for ease of air to travel therethrough.

[0044] Near both the top wall 30 and the bottom wall 40 are a plurality of panel fork openings 80. These reinforced fork openings 80 allow for the ingress and egress of forklift forks for the ease of transportation. Additionally, the fork openings 80 may allow for placement and removal of panel 10 by hand or hook.

[0045] Also located near both the top wall 30 and the bottom wall 40 are a plurality of circular indent receivers 85. These indented portions coincide with the circular indent buttons 86 as shown in FIG. 3 for ease of stacking and storage. Additionally, a forklift may then move a large quantity of Modular Channel Panels 10 by way of inserting forklift forks through the panel fork openings 80 of the plurality of panels 20.

[0046] Turning now to FIG. 2, the Modular Channel Panel 10 is shown in a close-up view, highlighting the raised projections 100. These projections 100 have rounded corners 105, which creates a four-way angled intersection between four projections 100, known as a roundabout intersection 190. These roundabout intersections 190 are the points where a horizontal channel 155 connects to a vertical channel 150. To prevent plugging, or the clogging of water, air, or material, and to increase the efficiency of said travel within this roundabout intersection 190, a redirection spire 195 is placed within the center of said roundabout intersection 190. The redirection spire 195 is known as an extended piece of material extending beyond the panel 20 face. In such a fashion, undersized material, water, or air will move along a channel, contact the redirection spire 195, and travel either horizontally or vertically therefrom. This additional feature of the redirection spire 195 prevents debris, or undersized material, which did in fact ingress a channel from free flowing unimpeded. It may also encourage such interloping material to exit the channel thereof.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, the opposing or rear face 91 of the modular panels 20 is similar to the front face 90, excepting that a circular indent button 86 is provided in the corners near the top wall 30 and the bottom wall 40, which allows for mating with a second panel 20 front face 90 by way of the other panel's circular indent receivers 85, as highlighted in FIG. 4.

[0048] Staying with FIG. 4, a close-up view of the Modular Channel Panel 10 is shown, highlighting the circular indent receivers 85. By way of explanation, the raised projections 100 are as viewed from the lower portion of the modular panel 20 itself, the panel face 90. As previously mentioned, the panel face 90 may be either the front face or the rear face of a modular panel 20, otherwise known as the front face or the rear face thereof. The positioning of the raised projections 100 as well as the projection width 130 thereof allows for the creation of a vertical channel 150, as well as a horizontal channel 155, generally surrounding each raised projection 100.

[0049] As defined herein, a channel is the portion between raised projections 100, which will allow for product, air, water, or the like to flow through and around the raised projections 100. However, preferably the channel is of such width, height, and depth such that debris and most of the material which may be contained within a shipping container 160 cannot ingress. Instead, air is allowed to travel along the channels for ease of freezing or circulation within the chambers.

[0050] As is appreciated by those with skill in the art, particularly the art of shipping or packaging, the farther the raised projections 100 are placed from each other, the wider the vertical channel 150 and horizontal channel 155 width shall become.

[0051] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate a side view of an embodiment of the raised projections 100 and the projection width 130 of the present disclosure. The raised projections 100 extend away from the face wall 90 as described above in a distance described herein as the raised projection width 130. The width of the projections 100 may be adjusted based on use. While the particular design of the raised projections 100 may vary, this particular embodiment highlights raised projection width 130, and additionally allows visualization of circular indent buttons 86 on the rear face wall 91, and the circular indent receivers 85 on the front face wall 90. Additionally, the redirection spires 195 are shown with a raised height thereof, as from either the front face 90 or the rear face 91.

[0052] Now looking at FIG. 7, a close-up view of the rear face 91 of the panel 20 is shown, highlighting a circular indent button 86. It is readily apparent that the roundabout intersections 190 are positioned at the intersection of each horizontal channel 155 and vertical channel 150, with a roundabout redirection spire 195 located therein. Also shown is the reinforced material 81 within the panel forks opening 80, defined as extra material around the circumference of said panel forks opening 80, to allow for durability during transportation of the Modular Channel Panels 10, particularly when stacked in plurality.

[0053] FIG. 8 highlights a shipping container 160 wherein two Modular Channel Panels 10 are positioned therein. This further illustrates a preferred embodiment of a Modular Channel Panel 10 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, which retrofits existing containers. Shown here are two modular panels 20 that are deployed in an interlocking panel shape 170, which as shown here is a X or a + shape. In such a fashion, the modular panels 20 may be removably attached for ease of access, cleaning, as well as for maintenance. These modular panels 20, will thus have the ability to assemble into an interlocking panel shape 170 of the Modular Channel Panel 10. The slot wall 70, as defined herein, is the most upwardly point of the open slot 60 as from the panel bottom wall 40. Further, the slot wall 70 are where two or more modular panels 20 meet and join when forming an interlocking panel shape 170. As discussed above, the modular panels 20 here are deployed in opposing positions, such that the open slot 60 is shown on opposing sides, to effectuate the mating of the modular panels 20, creating an inverted connected panel 180, where the bottom wall 40 of one panel 20 is on a panel of the top wall 30 of the second panel 20. The creation of the interlocking panel shape 170 as shown here creates four chambers 140, or areas for product or material to be stored. As described above, due to the channels and positioning within a current shipping container 160, material stored therein is able to be separated from the center of said shipping container 160, allowing for air to travel to all parts of the stored material or product. This, as is known by those with skill in the art, will prevent spoilage and uneven temperature distribution within said shipping container.

[0054] Last, we look at FIG. 9. A method 300 is displayed for a human user to freeze material within a shipping container by way of utilizing the present disclosure within an existing shipping container. The first step is to provide a shipping container 310. A plurality of modular panels as described herein is provided 320, each modular panel having V-Cuts, and raised projections as described, creating horizontal channels and vertical channels. The plurality of modular panels are then interlocked 330 by way of the open slot on each modular panel as described herein, creating an interlocking panel shape. This interlocking panel shape is then placed within the previously mentioned shipping container 340, creating different chambers therein. Now material, such as fruit, vegetables, or the like are added into the shipping container 350. Now that the shipping container is loaded, the shipping container is moved into a fan circulated freezer room 360. At this point, air lines are provided, sending air through the channels of the modular panels 370. In such a fashion, an air supply device will provide air circulation within at least one of the channels, allowing for air to reach the material located most centrally as viewed from the shipping container.

[0055] Understandably, the present Modular Channel Panel 10 has been described above in terms of one or more preferred embodiments or models. It is recognized that various alternatives and modifications may be made to these embodiments and methods that are within the scope of the present invention. Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood that, although the foregoing description and drawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the Modular Channel Panel 10, to those skilled in the art of which this invention relates, the present disclosure will suggest many modifications, models, and constructions, as well as widely differing embodiments and applications without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.