PARTITIONED CONTAINER WITH SELF-LOCKING ACCESS PORTION

Abstract

A partitioned container having a self-locking access portion and further having a plurality of individual compartments formed from mated slotted interior panels. One or more exterior panels surround the mated interior panels to form the outside of the partitioned container. The interior panels may include folding tab sections and partitioning sections, and the panels may be mated with one another. The exterior panel(s) may comprise a plurality of sub-panels configured to reinforce the container and interlock with one another. The various panels may be folded about fold lines to permit the assembly to be folded into a substantially flat state.

Claims

1. A partitioned container comprising: one or more interior partitions configured to define a plurality of storage cells; a plurality of adjoining exterior wall panels, configurable to form a structure to receive said one or more interior partitions-therein; wherein a first panel of said exterior wall panels includes one or more apertures; and wherein the first panel is adapted to receive one or more portions of a second exterior wall panel within said one or more apertures, to form a locking portion of said structure.

2. The partitioned container of claim 1, wherein: the partitioned container comprises corrugated paperboard.

3. The partitioned container of claim 1, wherein the one or more interior partitions comprise: a first number of interior partitions extending alongside one another and spanning the interior compartment in a first direction; a second number of interior partitions extending alongside one another and spanning the interior compartment in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and wherein each of the first number of interior partitions are mated with each of the second number of interior partitions to define the plurality of storage cells.

4. The partitioned container of claim 3, wherein: each interior partition further comprises a number of slots, each slot extending from either a top or bottom edge of the interior partition, wherein each slot is adapted to receive a portion of another interior partition to mate the other interior partition thereto.

5. The partitioned container of claim 3, wherein: at least one of said one or more interior partitions comprises at least one folding tab.

6. The partitioned container of claim 4, wherein: the number of slots of at least one interior partition partially define a plurality of panel tabs, each comprising non-right-angle corners along an open edge.

7. The partitioned container of claim 1 wherein: the second exterior wall panel further comprises a fold line positioned between an edge fold line and an opposing open edge.

8. The partition container of claim 1 further comprising: a support panel of said exterior wall panels, adapted to be positioned between the one or more interior partitions and the first panel.

9. The partitioned container of claim 1 wherein: the first panel is further adapted to receive one or more portions of a third exterior wall panel within said one or more apertures, to form a locking portion of said structure.

10. The partitioned container of claim 9 wherein: each of the second exterior wall panel and third exterior wall panel comprise at least one insert panel tab.

11. The partitioned container of claim 1, wherein: at least one exterior wall panel of said plurality of exterior wall panels comprises a mating tab.

12. The partitioned container of claim 1 further comprising: a handle positioned at an exterior wall panel of said plurality of exterior wall panels.

13. The partition container of claim 1, wherein: the second panel is adapted to contact the first panel in a position substantially parallel thereto.

14. A partitioned container comprising: a first number of interior partitions; a second number of interior partitions adapted to mate with the first number of interior partitions to define a plurality of storage cells; and at least one exterior panel adapted to close around the interior partitions, the at least one exterior panel comprising: a first number of exterior wall panels; and a second number of exterior wall panels adapted to be positioned substantially perpendicular to the first number of exterior wall panels, wherein the second number of exterior wall panels comprise: a first panel including one or more apertures; and a second panel including one or more portions adapted to be received by the one or more apertures of the first panel to form a locking region of the at least one exterior panel; and

15. The partition container of claim 14 further comprising: a third panel of the second number of exterior wall panels, wherein the third panel is adapted to be positioned between the interior partitions and the first panel.

16. The partition container of claim 15, wherein: the third panel comprises a substantially continuous surface.

17. The partition container of claim 15 further comprising: a fourth panel of the second number of exterior wall panels, wherein the fourth panel includes one or more portions adapted to be received by the one or more apertures of the first panel to form a locking region of the exterior panel.

18. The partition container of claim 14, wherein: each of the first number of interior partitions comprises a number of slots, each slot extending from either a top or bottom edge of the interior partition, and wherein each slot is adapted to receive a portion of one of the second number of interior partitions to mate the one of the second number of interior partitions thereto.

19. The partition container of claim 14, wherein: the second panel of the second number of exterior wall panels comprises at least one insert panel tab.

20. A partitioned container comprising: one or more interior partitions configured to define a crate having a plurality of cells of an interior compartment; at least one exterior structure adapted to define the interior compartment, the exterior structure comprising: a plurality of walls; a first panel, adapted to contact the one or more interior partitions in a position substantially perpendicular thereto; a second panel, having an aperture; and a third panel, wherein the third panel includes an edge fold line located at an intersection of the third panel and the top or bottom edge of a wall adjacent thereto, and the third panel is configured to rotate about the edge fold line; wherein the first panel of the exterior structure is adapted to be secured between the one or more interior partitions and the second panel of the exterior structure; wherein the aperture of the second panel of the exterior structure is adapted to receive a portion of the third panel of the exterior structure, and is further adapted to maintain the portion of the third panel to restrict movement of each of the first, second and third panels of the exterior structure; and wherein the partitioned container is adapted to be folded substantially flat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In addition to the features and advantages mentioned above, other features and advantages disclosed herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments when read in conjunction with the attached drawings, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary partitioned container having a self-locking base portion positioned in a locked configuration;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an exterior panel with a self-locking base portion according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 3 is another plan view of the exterior panel with a self-locking base portion of the FIG. 2 embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary partitioned container of the FIG. 1 embodiment wherein the self-locking base portion is positioned in an open configuration;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the FIG. 4 embodiment wherein the self-locking base portion is positioned in a first intermediate configuration;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the FIG. 5 embodiment wherein the self-locking base portion is positioned in a second intermediate configuration;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the FIG. 6 embodiment wherein the self-locking base portion is positioned in a third intermediate configuration;

[0033] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the FIG. 7 embodiment wherein the self-locking base portion is positioned in a locked configuration;

[0034] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the exemplary partitioned container of the FIG. 1 embodiment wherein the self-locking base portion is positioned in a locked configuration;

[0035] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary partitioned container of the FIG. 1 embodiment wherein the partitioned container is positioned in a partially folded configuration;

[0036] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the exemplary partitioned container of the FIG. 1 embodiment wherein the partitioned container is positioned in a substantially folded configuration;

[0037] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a longitudinal panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a transverse panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0039] FIG. 14 is a plan view of a support panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The disclosed partitioned container is useful in shipping various objects, for example individual component parts for automobiles, in individual compartments so as to prevent damage to the various objects or component parts, for example by parts bumping against each other during shipment. The disclosed partitioned container may be shipped or stored in a relatively flat, folded down configuration and then unfolded for insertion of various objects or component parts. The entire volume of the partitioned container may be used for storing objects or component parts inasmuch as individual compartments fill the entire interior volume of the partitioned container. The disclosed partitioned container assembly may contain a plurality of fold lines and folding tab sections that permit folding of the assembly. Exemplary partitioned containers comprise at least one self-locking access portion adapted to provide structural support thereto, such as for withstanding applied forces from any number of different objects positioned therein.

[0041] Referring initially to FIG. 1, an exemplary partitioned container having a self-locking base portion 10 is shown. Here, the self-locking base portion (itself not visible in FIG. 1) of the container 10 is positioned below a crate 12 of individual cells or compartments 14 for stuffing with the same or different objects or component parts (not shown) for storage or shipment. The partitioned container 10 may be useful for shipping small automobile parts, although such use is not required. Such number of individual compartments 14 is by way of illustration and not limitation.

[0042] The partitioned container 10 may further comprise at least one exterior panel 16 comprising a plurality of side walls 24, wherein the exterior panel 16 may define an interior compartment comprising the crate 12 of individual cells or compartments 14. The exterior panel 16 may comprise a top edge and a pair of side edges. Each side wall 24 may comprise a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. Each side wall 24 may comprise at least one fold line 18 at one or more edges thereof. For example, by way of illustration and not limitation, a first side wall 24 may comprise a fold line 18 at a side edge thereof, and a second side wall 24 adjacent to the first side wall may share a side edge comprising fold line 18 with the first side wall 24, such that each of the first and second side walls 24 may be rotated about the fold line 18.

[0043] The at least one exterior panel 16 may further comprise a mating tab 20 having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. A fold line 18 may define a shared side edge of the mating tab 20 with a side wall 24 positioned adjacent thereto. The at least one exterior panel 16 may also comprise a side wall 24 including an open side edge not defined by a fold line (open-end wall). The mating tab 20 may be rotated about the fold line 18 to be positioned over a portion of the open-end wall 24, and affixed thereto (such as by, for example not by way of limitation, adhesive, staples, tape, some combination thereof, or the like), permitting the exterior panel 16 to close around the crate 12 of individual cells or compartments 14, thus defining the outside of the partitioned container 10. The mating tab 20 may be affixed to the open-end wall 24 by, for example by way of illustration and not limitation, adhesive, tape, bands or other securing mechanisms.

[0044] It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that individual features of an exemplary exterior panel 16 may be any number of different shapes and/or sizes. In some embodiments, an exemplary mating tab 20 may be approximately 2 inches wide from an open side edge to the fold line 18, and 24 inches tall from top edge to bottom edge. In some embodiments, an exemplary side wall 24 may be approximately 24 inches wide from side edge to side edge, and 24 inches tall from top edge to bottom edge. The present invention is also not intended to be limited to the use of a single exterior panel (e.g., 16) having a single mating tab (e.g., 20). In other embodiments, the partitioned container may comprise multiple exterior panels. In some embodiments, at least one exterior panel may have one or more tabs at an edge thereof, and mating recesses corresponding to said tabs may be positioned an opposing edge of the same or a separate exterior panel. In such embodiments, the number of fold lines will be adjusted accordingly. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that there may be any number of methods for mating portions of one or more exterior panels to define an interior compartment without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0045] The partitioned container 10 may also comprise one or more longitudinal panels 26 having one or more folding tab sections 30, wherein each folding tab section 30 may be positioned on either side of a partitioning section of the longitudinal panel 26. The partitioned container 10 may additionally comprise one or more transverse panels 28 having one or more folding tab sections 32, wherein each folding tab section 32 may be positioned on either side of a partitioning section of the transverse panel 28. Each longitudinal panel 26 may comprise a number of slots along the partitioning section thereof, wherein each slot may be configured to receive a portion of a transverse panel 28. Each transverse panel 28 may comprise a number of slots along the partitioning section thereof, wherein each slot may be configured to receive a portion of a longitudinal panel 26. The longitudinal panels 26 may be configured to extend across a length of the container 10 in substantial parallel proximity to one another in a first direction. The transverse panels 28 may be configured to extend across a length of the container 10 in substantial parallel proximity to one another in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The transverse panels 28 and longitudinal panels 26 may interlock to define the crate 12, wherein the perimeter of each individual compartment or cell 14 is defined by portions of interior panels 26, 28 in proximity to one another. The transverse panels 28 and longitudinal panels 26 may be surrounded at least partially by the at least one exterior panel 16.

[0046] The folding tab sections 30 of each longitudinal panel 26 may be facially affixed to a portion of an interior face of a side wall 24 of an exterior panel 16. Furthermore, the folding tab sections 32 of each transverse panel 28 may be facially affixed to a portion of an interior face of a side wall 24 of an exterior panel 16. Each folding tab section 30, 32 of interior panels 26, 28 may be facially affixed to the exterior panel 16 by, for example by way of illustration and not limitation, an amount of adhesive, staples, tape, some combination thereof, or the like. The partitioned container 10 may further comprise at least one handle 22, such as for, by way of example and not limitation, permitting an individual to carry the container 10 from one location to another.

[0047] In the FIG. 1 embodiment, the partitioned container 10 comprises a self-locking base portion, as described below, but a roof is not shown. The present invention does not require omission of a roof, but omission of a roof may be advantageous for, by way of example and not limitation, reducing container weight, stacking containers, storing containers, some combination thereof, or the like. In other embodiments, the partitioned container may include a roof. For example, by way of illustration and not limitation, a self-locking access portion of the present invention may be adapted to define a roof of the container, such that independent self-locking access portions are located at each of the base and the roof of the container. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that any number of different materials and configurations thereof may be employed to define a roof of an exemplary partitioned container having a self-locking base portion without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, by way of illustration and not limitation, the exterior panel(s) may comprise additional folding tab sections that may be rotated about fold lines, and thereafter restrained, at least temporarily, by access region overlap-folding, adhesive, tape, staples, some combination thereof, or the like to define a roof of the partitioned container. In yet other embodiments, the roof of the partitioned container 10 may be a detachable lid, or the like.

[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, varying plan views of an exemplary exterior panel 16 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention are shown. The exterior panel 16 may comprise a plurality of exterior wall panels including side walls 24 separated by fold lines 18, one or more handles 22 each defined, at least partially, by an opening or aperture in a side wall 24, and a mating tab 20 at an edge of the exterior panel opposite of an open-end wall 24. The exterior panel 16 may further comprise a number of exterior wall panels (e.g., 34, 35, 42) collectively defining a self-locking access portion 33. In this particular embodiment, a support panel 42, lock panel 35, and one or more insert panels 34 collectively define a self-locking base portion 33. Each insert panel 34 may comprise a plurality of insert panel tabs 38a-c separated from one another by slots 39. Each insert panel 34 may further comprise an intermediate fold line 36. Each lock panel 35 may comprise lock apertures 40.

[0049] Each of the support panel 42 and lock panel 35 may include a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. Each insert panel 34 may include a top edge and a pair of side edges. A top edge of the lock panel 35 may define a fold line 18 shared with a side wall 24. A top edge of the support panel 42 may define a fold line 18 shared with a side wall 24. A top edge of each insert panel 34 may define an edge fold line 18 shared with a side wall 24. Bottom edges of each of the support panel 42 and lock panel 35 may define open edges thereof. Side edges of each of the support panel 42, lock panel 35, and insert panels 34 may comprise open edges.

[0050] The self-locking access portion (e.g., 33) may be configured to provide optimal support for objects positioned in a partitioned container. The self-locking access portion may comprise corrugated paperboard material, but corrugated paperboard is not required. In exemplary embodiments, additional material such as, for example, tape, adhesive, staples, some combination thereof, or the like are not required to secure the access portion, and additional tools, such as, for example, box cutters, scissors, staple removers, or the like are not required to disengage the access portion. The various panels and tabs (e.g., 20, 24, 34, 35, 42) of the exterior panel may be folded about fold lines (e.g., 18), and the various interior panels may be folded about respective fold lines, such as to permit the partitioned container to be folded to a substantially flat state. The exterior wall panels (e.g., 24, 35, 42) may be rotated with respect to one another about fold lines 18, such as to permit the container to be folded to a substantially flat state.

[0051] It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that individual features of an exemplary self-locking access portion (e.g., 33) may be any number of different shapes and/or sizes. In some embodiments, an exemplary support panel 42 may be approximately 22 inches long from a bottom side edge to the fold line 18, and 24 inches wide from side edge to side edge. In some embodiments, an exemplary lock panel 35 may be approximately 22 inches long from a bottom side edge to the fold line 18, and 24 inches wide from side edge to side edge. In some embodiments, an exemplary insert panel 34 may be approximately 22 inches wide from side edge to side edge. It will further be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that an insert panel does not require a single intermediate fold line (e.g., 36) and three substantially rectangular panel tabs (e.g., 38a-c). In other embodiments, multiple fold lines may be positioned between an edge fold line of an insert panel and an opposing side edge thereof. In other embodiments, portions of an insert panel adapted to engage at least one aperture of a lock panel may be arranged in any number of different numbers, shapes, and/or sizes, and may include any number of different slot configurations without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 4 illustrates the exemplary partitioned container 10 of the FIG. 1 embodiment wherein a self-locking base portion 33 comprising a support panel 42, lock panel 35, and insert panels 34 of an exterior panel 16 is positioned in an open configuration. Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, each of the support panel 42, lock panel 35, and insert panels 34 may be configured to rotated about a respective fold line 18, such as, for example by way of illustration and not limitation, to cause the panel (e.g., 42, 35, 34) to surround a portion of the crate 12 comprising interior cells or compartments 14, thus defining a self-locking base portion 33 configuration other than an open configuration (as illustrated in FIGS. 5-8). Side walls 24 may also each be configured to rotate about a fold line 18, thus permitting the partitioned container 10 to be folded to a substantially flat state.

[0053] Referring specifically to FIG. 4, the crate 12 may comprise a series of longitudinal panels 26 comprising folding tab sections 30, wherein the longitudinal panels 26 may be mated with a series of transverse panels 28 comprising folding tab sections 32 to form the individual cells or compartments 14 in the interior of the partitioned container 10. The folding tab sections 30, 32 of interior panels 26, 28 and partitioning sections of the interior panels 26, 28 may be configured to rotate with respect to one another about fold lines. In an exemplary open configuration, one or more objects are permitted to be introduced to and/or removed from the partitioned container 10 past the top edge of each panel 34, 35, 42 of the self-locking access portion (e.g., 33).

[0054] The lock panel 35 may comprise lock apertures 40, wherein each lock aperture 40 may be adapted to receive a portion of a respective insert panel 34. Each lock aperture 40 may comprise a gap 44 and an aperture tab section 41, wherein the aperture tab section 41 may be folded about a fold line 43. Each insert panel 34 may comprise a plurality of insert panel tabs 38a-c separated from one another by slots 39, and an intermediate fold line 36. The intermediate fold line 36 may permit separate portions of the insert panel 34 to be rotated with respect to one another about the intermediate fold line 36, such as for, by way of example and not limitation, repositioning the insert panel tabs 38a-c for securing the self-locking access portion (e.g., 33), and/or repositioning the insert panel tabs 38a-c for disengaging the self-locking access portion (e.g., 33).

[0055] In FIG. 5, the self-locking base portion 33 comprising the support panel 42, lock panel 35, and insert panels 34 of the exterior panel 16 of the exemplary partitioned container 10 of the FIG. 4 embodiment is shown, wherein the self-locking base portion 33 is positioned in a first configuration intermediate with respect to an open configuration (as illustrated in FIG. 4) and a locked configuration (as illustrated in FIG. 8). Referring specifically to FIG. 5, the first intermediate configuration may be achieved by positioning a support panel 42 in a position substantially perpendicular to the side walls 24, and in close substantially perpendicular proximity to the interior panels. In the first intermediate configuration shown, the lock panel 35 (comprising lock apertures 40 each including a gap 44 and an aperture tab section 41 adapted to rotate about a fold line 43) is positioned away from close planar proximity to the support panel 42. In the aforementioned configuration, rotation of the support panel 42 about its respective fold line 18 is not restricted by either the lock panel 44 or insert panels 34 (each comprising an intermediate fold line 36 and insert panel tabs 38a-c separated from one another by slots 39). The self-locking base portion 33 may be repositioned from the first intermediate configuration to an open configuration by repositioning the support panel 42 to a position away from substantially perpendicular proximity to the interior panels. The self-locking base portion 33 may be repositioned from the first intermediate configuration to a second intermediate configuration by repositioning the lock panel 35 as described below.

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 6, the self-locking base portion 33 comprising the support panel 42, lock panel 35 (comprising lock apertures 40 each including a gap 44 and an aperture tab section 41 adapted to rotate about a fold line 43), and insert panels 34 (each comprising an intermediate fold line 36 and insert panel tabs 38a-c separated from one another by slots 39) of the exterior panel 16 of the exemplary partitioned container 10 of the FIG. 5 embodiment is shown, wherein the self-locking base portion 33 is positioned in a second intermediate configuration. The second intermediate configuration shown may be achieved by positioning the lock panel 35 in close planar proximity to the support panel 42 (which in the second intermediate configuration, may be substantially perpendicular to the side walls, and in close substantially perpendicular proximity to the interior panels). In the second intermediate configuration shown, the lock panel 35 may restrict rotation of the support panel 42 about its respective fold line 18. In the second intermediate configuration shown, rotation of the lock panel 35 is not restricted by the insert panels 34. The self-locking base portion 33 may be repositioned from the second intermediate configuration to the first intermediate configuration by repositioning the lock panel 35 to a position away from close planar proximity to the support panel 42. The self-locking base portion 33 may be repositioned from the second intermediate configuration to a third intermediate configuration by repositioning the insert panels 34 as described below.

[0057] Referring now to FIG. 7, the self-locking base portion 33 comprising the support panel 42, lock panel 35 (comprising lock apertures 40 each including a gap 44 and an aperture tab section 41 adapted to rotate about a fold line 43), and insert panels 34 (each comprising an intermediate fold line 36 and insert panel tabs 38a-c separated from one another by slots 39) of the exterior panel 16 of the exemplary partitioned container 10 of the FIG. 6 embodiment is shown, wherein the self-locking base portion 33 is positioned in a third intermediate configuration. The third intermediate configuration shown may be achieved in part by rotating each insert panel 34 about a respective edge fold line 18 to a position in close proximity to the lock panel 35 (which in the third intermediate configuration, may be in a position in close planar proximity to the support panel 42, which may be substantially perpendicular to the side walls 24, and in close substantially perpendicular proximity to the interior panels). In the third intermediate configuration, the insert panels 34 may restrict rotation of the lock panel 35 about its respective fold line 18.

[0058] In the third intermediate configuration, a first portion of each insert panel 34 may be rotated about a fold line 36, wherein the fold line 36 may separate the first portion of the insert panel 34 from a second portion of the insert panel 34, wherein the second portion of the insert panel 34 may share another fold line (e.g., edge fold line 18) with a side wall 24. The first portion of each insert panel 34 may be rotated to permit an insert panel tab (e.g., 38b) to be positioned in a gap 44 and secured under an aperture tab section 41 of a respective lock aperture 40. The aperture tab section 41 of the lock aperture 40 may be rotated about a fold line 43 to permit the insert panel tab (e.g., 38b) to be positioned thereunder. Positioning of the insert panel tab (e.g., 38b) of insert panel 34 in a respective lock aperture 40 may cause substantial immobilization of the insert panel 34 and the lock panel 35, which in turn may cause substantial immobilization of the support panel 42. The self-locking base portion 33 may be repositioned from the third intermediate configuration to the second intermediate configuration by repositioning the insert panels 34 away from close proximity to the lock panel 35. The self-locking base portion 33 may be repositioned from the third intermediate configuration to a locked configuration by repositioning the insert panels 34 and tabs thereof (e.g., 38a-c) to a secured position, such as shown in FIG. 8.

[0059] FIG. 8 illustrates the exemplary partitioned container 10 of the FIG. 7 embodiment, wherein the self-locking base portion 33 comprising the lock panel 35 (comprising lock apertures 40 each including an aperture tab section 41 adapted to rotate about a fold line 43) and insert panels 34 (each comprising an intermediate fold line 36 and insert panel tabs (e.g., 38a and c)) of the exterior panel 16 is shown positioned in a locked configuration. In an exemplary intermediate or locked configuration, one or more objects may not be permitted to be introduced to and/or removed from the partitioned container 10 past the top edge of each panel 34, 35, 42 of the self-locking access portion (e.g., 33). The locked configuration shown may be achieved by positioning an insert panel tab of each insert panel 34 in the gap 44 of the respective lock aperture 40, and under the aperture tab section 41 of the same, and causing each insert panel 34 to be in substantial close planar proximity to the lock panel 35. In the aforementioned configuration, a slot 39 of an insert panel 34 may receive an edge of a lock aperture 40.

[0060] In the exemplary locked configuration shown, the support panel (itself not visible in FIG. 8), together with the interlocked lock 35 and insert 34 panels positioned in close planar proximity thereto, may provide multiple layers of immobilized material between object(s) in the partitioned container 10 and the surrounding environment, wherein the layers (e.g., 34, 35) may reinforce one another. For example, by way of illustration and not limitation, the reinforced layers (e.g., 34, 35) may prevent any objects positioned there above from causing deflection of the base 33 of an exemplary partitioned container 10, and/or may prevent any objects positioned there above from compromising the structural integrity of the base 33 of the container 10. Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, as an example by way of illustration and not limitation, object mass-related deflection of any panel 42, 35, 34 of the self-locking base portion 33 may be prevented, at least in part, by the layered exchange and distribution of force(s) across the various secured and/or interlocked surfaces of the panels 42, 35, 34. Also, the size and rigidity of the support panel 42 may act to prevent deflection of subsequent layers (e.g., 34, 35). As another example, by way of illustration and not limitation, the surface of one panel (e.g., lock panel 34) may contact the surface of another panel (e.g., support panel 42) to provide structural support thereto and prevent deflection thereof. Furthermore, portions of the lock panel 35 and/or the support panel 42 in close proximity to the insert panel tab(s) (e.g., 38b) may act with respect to the insert panel 34 to prevent an insert panel tab (e.g., 38b) from being released from a respective lock aperture 40, unless a portion of the insert panel 34 is folded about a fold line 36 by action of a user to cause the aforementioned release. Thus, the exemplary partitioned container 10 may be secured using exclusively features (e.g., 34, 35, 42) of the container 10 itself.

[0061] The self-locking base portion 33 may be disengaged from the locked configuration by being repositioned from the locked configuration to an intermediate or open configuration. The aforementioned repositioning may be achieved by, at least in part, removing from each lock aperture 40 any insert panel tab (e.g., 38b) positioned therein, such as by folding an aperture tab section (e.g., 41) away from the insert panel tab (e.g., 38b) positioned thereunder, and folding a portion of the insert panel 34 about a fold line 36 to release the insert panel tab (e.g., 38b), and repositioning each insert panel 34 away from substantial planar and close proximity to the lock panel 35. For example, by way of illustration and not limitation, the self-locking base portion 33 may be repositioned from a locked configuration to an open configuration by repositioning each of the insert panels 34, the lock panel 35, and the support panel 42 from being in close substantial perpendicular proximity to both the side walls 24 and interior panels 26, 28.

[0062] It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is not intended to be limited to the shapes and configurations illustrated and described herein. For example, by way of illustration and not limitation, in other embodiments, an exemplary partitioned container may comprise a self-locking access portion defined by more than one support panel. As another example, by way of illustration and not limitation, in other embodiments, a plurality of lock apertures of any number of different shapes or sizes may be adapted to receive a plurality of insert panel tabs of any number of different shapes or sizes of a single insert panel. As yet another example, by way of illustration and not limitation, in other embodiments, only one insert panel may be employed. In yet other embodiments, more than two insert panels may be employed.

[0063] In FIG. 9, the interlocked transverse panels 28 and longitudinal panels 26 surrounded by the exterior panel 16 are seen in a position forming a crate 12 of individual compartments 14 of an exemplary partitioned container 10. In this particular embodiment, each interior panel 26, 28 comprises two folding tab sections (e.g., two folding tab sections 30 for longitudinal panel 26; e.g., two folding tab sections 32 for transverse panel 28), each on either side of a partitioning section of the panel 26, 28, wherein the folding tab sections (e.g., 30) of each panel (e.g., 26) extend in opposite directions with respect to one another, and are substantially parallel with respect to one another. Each interior panel folding tab section 30, 32 may be facially affixed by adhesive, tape, staples, some combination thereof, or the like to an interior face of at least one side wall 24 of an exterior panel 16, wherein side walls 24 may be separated from one another by fold lines 18. In the embodiment shown, a number of transverse panel folding tab sections 32 comprise a folding tab section aperture 45, wherein the folding tab section aperture 45 may be configured to align with an exterior panel aperture to define a handle 22 of the partitioned container 10. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that one or more handles of an exemplary partitioned container may be formed in any number of different shapes, sizes or configurations without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0064] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, a support panel 42 is positioned immediately below the crate 12, and may be configured to provide support for objects positioned in one or more individual compartments 14 thereof. An advantage of providing reinforced material (e.g., 42) at the base of partitioned container 10, by way of example and not limitation, is that the reinforced material (e.g., 42) may prevent impact damage by sufficiently maintaining objects within the container. The support panel 42 may comprise paperboard or other sufficiently rigid material to support objects in the partitioned container 10.

[0065] Referring now to FIG. 10, the exemplary partitioned container 10 of the FIG. 1 embodiment is shown, wherein the partitioned container 10 is positioned in a partially folded configuration. Force(s) may be applied to one or more portions of a partitioned container 10 being substantially devoid of objects (substantially empty) to cause the interior panel 26, 28 partitioning sections of the interior crate 12, the support panel 42, the lock panel 35 (comprising lock apertures 40 each including a gap 44 and an aperture tab section 41 adapted to rotate about a fold line 43) and insert panels 34 (each comprising an intermediate fold line 36 and insert panel tabs 38a-c separated by slots 39) of the self-locking base portion 33, and side walls 24 of the exterior panel 16 to rotate about respective fold lines (e.g., 18) (direction of rotation of the partitioned container 10 is demonstrated by way of example and not limitation by arrow A) until air volumes defining the interiors of each substantially empty compartment 14 of crate 12 have been substantially reduced or eliminated. The reduction of air volumes defining the interiors of each substantially empty compartment 14 of crate 12 permits compaction of the crate 12 within the container 10.

[0066] Rotation of the panels may be also be caused by torque applied from other

[0067] interior panels (e.g., 26, 28) and/or exterior panel(s) (e.g., 16) to one another as the various panels make contact with one another during rotation thereof. By way of example and not limitation, in other embodiments where certain interior panels may not include any folding tab sections, the aforementioned application(s) of torque may cause interior panels, including those not having any folding tab sections, to rotate as desired during folding of the partitioned container.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 11, an exemplary partitioned container 10 may be folded substantially flat for storage and/or stacking. Additionally, the partitioned container 10 may be folded substantially flat for shipment. Here, the various panels (e.g., 16, 20, 24, 34, 35, 42) and other features (e.g., 18, 22, 36, 38a-c, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44) of an exemplary partitioned container 10 having a self-locking base portion 33 are shown in approximate planar proximity to one another. The flattened configuration may reduce costs for users as a result of requiring less space while being transported or stored in an empty state. When it is desired that the partitioned container 10 in the substantially flat state is to have objects introduced to it, the process shown in FIG. 10 may be reversed until the configuration shown in FIG. 9 is reached.

[0069] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 9, the crate 12 of the partitioned container 10 may comprise interior panels 26, 28. As shown in FIG. 12, an exemplary longitudinal panel 26 may include a partitioning section 50 and folding tab sections 30a-b which may be folded about fold lines 51a-b. Each folding tab section 30a-b may extend from one side of the partitioning section 50. Each fold line 51a-b may run along the edge shared by the partitioning section 50 and the folding tab section 30a-b, from top to bottom of the partitioning section 50, forming an inner side edge of the folding tab section 30a-b.

[0070] The partitioning section 50 may further comprise a series of slots 52 separating panel tabs 46a-e from one another. The slots 52 may extend downwardly from a top edge of the panel 26 to about a midpoint of the height thereof. In certain exemplary embodiments, folding tab sections 30a and 30b may be approximately 5 inches wide from side edge to fold line, and approximately 23 inches long from top edge to bottom edge. In certain exemplary embodiments, the partitioning section 50 may be approximately 23.5 inches wide from fold line to fold line, and approximately 23 inches long from top edge to bottom edge. In certain exemplary embodiments, the slot 52 may extend approximately 12 inches.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 13, an exemplary transverse panel 28 may include a partitioning section 54 and folding tab sections 32a-b which may be folded about fold lines 62a-b. Each folding tab section 32a-b may extend from one side of the partitioning section 54. Each fold line 62a-b may run along the edge shared by the partitioning section 54 and the folding tab section 32a-b, from top to bottom of the partitioning section 54, forming an inner side edge of the folding tab section 32a-b. The partitioning section 54 may further comprise a series of slots 56 separating panel tabs 60a-d ; from one another. The slots 56 may extend upwardly from a bottom edge of the panel 28 to about a midpoint of the height thereof. A folding tab section aperture 45 defined by an opening in the folding tab section 32 may be configured to align with an opening in an exterior panel to define a handle. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 9 and 13, one or more handles 22 of an exemplary container 10 may be useful, for example, for carrying the container 10 from one location to any number of other locations. In certain exemplary embodiments, folding tab sections 32a and 32b may be approximately 4.5 inches wide from side edge to fold line, and approximately 23 inches long from top edge to bottom edge. In certain exemplary embodiments, the partitioning section 54 may be approximately 22 inches wide from fold line to fold line, and approximately 23 inches long from top edge to bottom edge. In certain exemplary embodiments, the slot 56 may extend approximately 12 inches.

[0072] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 9 and 12-13, longitudinal panels 26 may be mated with transverse panels 28 to form the crate 12 of exemplary individual compartments 14 in the interior of the partitioned container 10. A series of slots 52 of each longitudinal panel 26 may be configured to cooperate for mutual insertion with a slot 56 of each transverse panel 28, wherein the slots may be placed at substantially right angles to one another to form the crate 12. The number of slots (e.g., 52, 56) could be in greater or fewer number than that shown in the drawings, and may be varied depending on the number of interior partitions (e.g., 26, 28) or individual compartments (e.g., 14) desired. The number of individual compartments for exemplary partitioned containers is a matter of choice.

[0073] In preferred embodiments, one folding tab section (e.g., 30 in FIGS. 1 and 9, 30a in FIG. 12) of an interior panel (e.g., 26 in FIGS. 1 and 9) may extend horizontally along a portion of the exterior panel(s) 16 in a first direction from the partitioning section (e.g., 50 in FIG. 12), and the other folding tab section (e.g., 30 in FIGS. 1 and 9, 30b in FIG. 12) of the panel (e.g., 26 in FIGS. 1 and 9) may extend horizontally along a portion of the exterior panel(s) 16 in a second direction from the partitioning section (e.g., 50 in FIG. 12) substantially opposite of the first direction.

[0074] Referring specifically to FIGS. 12-13, each panel tab 46a-e, 60a-d may comprise non-right-angle corners 48, 58 along an edge, such that, for example, each slot 52, 56 may comprise a narrow region extending towards a midportion of the panel 26, 28 and a wider opening near the edge of the panel 26, 28. Referring to FIGS. 1, 9-13, the narrow regions may function to receive and secure the partitioning sections 50, 54 of interior panels 26, 28, and the wider openings of the longitudinal panel 26 slots 52 may facilitate the rotation of the transverse panels 28 with respect to the longitudinal panels 26 by reducing friction between the panels 26, 28 by reducing the contact area between the partitioning section 54 of the transverse panel 28 and each panel tab 46a-e of the partitioning section 50 of the longitudinal panel 26. Similarly, the wider openings of the transverse panel 28 slots 56 may facilitate the rotation of the longitudinal panels 26 with respect to the transverse panels 28 by reducing friction between the panels 26, 28 by reducing the contact area between the partitioning section 50 of the longitudinal panel 26 and each panel tab 60a-d of the partitioning section 54 of the transverse panel 28. Additionally, this particular configuration may reduce the overall weight of each interior panel 26, 28 by reducing the relative surface area of each panel tab 46a-e, 60a-d with respect to empty space defined by each slot 52, 56.

[0075] In the embodiment shown, each interior panel folding tab section 30, 32 extends substantially the height of the interior panel 26, 28 partitioning sections 50, 54. In other embodiments, the interior panel folding tab sections 30, 32 may extend beyond the top edge of their respective partitioning sections, such as to add rigidity and strength to the side walls 24 of the exterior panel 16.

[0076] It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that there may be any number of different materials and/or configurations available for defining a crate of individual compartments without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, by way of illustration and not limitation, in some embodiments, certain interior panels may comprise less than two folding tab sections, wherein at least one edge of the interior panel is separated from an exterior panel side wall in proximity thereto by a gap. Furthermore, in some embodiments, certain folding tab sections may be of a smaller height than the partitioning section linked thereto. Also, in some embodiments, certain interior panels may comprise at least one slot extending downwardly from a top edge of the partitioning section thereof, as well as at least one slot extending upwardly from a bottom edge of the partitioning section thereof. Additionally, in some embodiments, certain longitudinal panels may comprise different slot configurations than other longitudinal panels, and/or certain transverse panels may comprise different slot configurations than other transverse panels. In addition, in some embodiments, certain folding tab sections may vary in size or shape with respect to other folding tab sections.

[0077] Referring now to FIG. 14, an exemplary support panel 42 of a self-locking base portion 33 of an exterior panel 16 is shown. In other embodiments, additional support panels or other reinforcing materials or features may be introduced to a self-locking access portion without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0078] Materials of construction for forming certain exemplary partitioned containers may be 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 component part construction thereof, i.e., single-ply, double-ply, or higher, may be varied depending upon the application. The partitioned containers are shown and described in particular reference to the use of corrugated paperboard; however, such description is illustrative and not a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0079] It is not intended that the present invention be limited to the embodiments described above. For example, by way of illustration and not limitation, adjustments in the location and/or arrangement of slots in each interior panel may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the number of slots in each interior panel may be varied depending on the number of interior partitions or individual compartments desired. Furthermore, the number of panels could be in greater or fewer number than that shown in the drawings. Thus, the number of individual compartments for exemplary partitioned containers is a matter of choice and may be fewer or greater than that shown in the drawings.

[0080] 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 with a self-locking base portion not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. All citations referenced herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.