Partitioned container
11623784 ยท 2023-04-11
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
B65D5/3621
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
A partitioned container 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 positioned closely together to define small individual compartments. 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 exterior panels defining an interior compartment; a first number of interior partitions, each comprising: a partitioning section comprising a number of slots extending from one of a top edge or a bottom edge to an intermediate height; a folding tab section extending from a first side edge of the partitioning section such that a second side edge comprises a free edge, wherein said folding tab section is configured for folding about a vertically extending fold line located at an intersection of the partitioning section and said folding tab section; wherein each of said folding tab sections are attached to one of said one or more exterior panels; wherein each of said partitioning sections extend alongside one another and substantially cross said interior compartment in a first direction; a second number of interior partitions, each comprising: a partitioning section comprising a number of slots extending from one of a top edge or a bottom edge to an intermediate height thereof; a first folding tab section extending from a right-side edge of the partitioning section, and configured for folding about a vertically extending fold line located at said right-side edge; a second folding tab section extending from a left-side edge of the partitioning section, and configured for folding about a vertically extending fold line located at said left-side edge; wherein each of said partitioning sections extend alongside one another and substantially cross said interior compartment in a second direction intersecting said first direction; wherein said first folding tab section of each of said second number of interior partitions extends in a first direction; wherein said second folding tab section of each of said second number of interior partitions extends in a second direction opposing said first direction; wherein each of said first folding tab sections and each of said second folding tab sections are attached to one of said one or more exterior panels; and wherein each of said partitioning sections of each of said first number of interior partitions are mated with each of said partitioning sections of each of said second number of interior partitions by way of said slots in said partitioning sections of said first and second number of interior partitions to define a series of individual compartments within the interior compartment.
2. The partitioned container of claim 1 further comprising: a gap between said free edge of said partitioning section of each of said first number of interior partitions and an interior surface of an adjacent portion of said one or more exterior panels.
3. The partitioned container of claim 2, wherein: each of said folding tab sections of each of said first number of interior partitions, as well as each of said folding tab sections of each of said second number of interior partitions, extends across, and is affixed to, an interior surface of a respective adjacent portion of said one or more exterior panels.
4. The partitioned container of claim 3, wherein: said first number of interior partitions are arranged such that said folding tab section of each respective one of said first number of interior partitions extends from an opposite side edge of said partitioning section of the respective one of said first number of interior partitions relative to an adjacent one of said first number of interior partitions; and said folding tab section of said respective one of said first number of interior partitions extends through said gap associated with said adjacent one of said first number of interior partitions.
5. The partitioned container of claim 4, wherein: each folding tab section of said first number of interior partitions extends through a first one of said individual compartments of said partitioned container and into a second one of said individual compartments.
6. The partitioned container of claim 1, wherein: said interior compartment is cuboid in shape.
7. The partitioned container of claim 6, wherein: said one or more exterior panels comprise a mating tab affixed to an exterior surface of said one or more exterior panels to create a perimeter.
8. The partitioned container of claim 1, wherein: said number of slots in said partitioning section of said first number of interior partitions extend from the bottom edge to said intermediate height; and said number of slots in said partitioning section of said second number of interior partitions extend from the top edge to said intermediate height.
9. The partitioned container of claim 1, wherein: said number of slots of each of said first number of interior partitions are spaced apart from one another and at least partially define a plurality of panel tabs, each comprising non-right-angle corners along an open edge.
10. The partitioned container of claim 1, wherein: said number of slots of each of said second number of interior partitions are spaced apart from one another and at least partially define a plurality of panel tabs, each comprising non-right-angle corners along an open edge.
11. The partitioned container of claim 1, wherein: said partitioned container comprises corrugated paperboard.
12. The partitioned container of claim 1, wherein: said partitioned container is configured for folding about fold lines such that adjacent ones of said first number of interior partitions or second number of interior partitions are configured to selectively contact one another.
13. The partition container of claim 1, wherein: said one or more exterior panels further comprise one or more exterior panel folding tab sections, wherein each of said one or more exterior panel folding tab sections are configured to rotate about a fold line to surround a plurality of individual compartments.
14. The partition container of claim 13, wherein: a plurality of exterior panel folding tabs are configured to interlock with one another to cover a plurality of individual compartments.
15. A partitioned container comprising: one or more exterior panels defining an interior compartment; a first number of interior partitions, each comprising: a partitioning section comprising a number of slots extending from one of a top edge or a bottom edge to an intermediate height; a second number of interior partitions, each comprising: a partitioning section comprising a number of slots extending from one of a top edge or a bottom edge to an intermediate height thereof; wherein each of said partitioning sections of said first number of interior partitions extend alongside one another and substantially cross said interior compartment in a first direction; wherein each of said partitioning sections of said second number of interior partitions extend alongside one another and substantially cross said interior compartment in a second direction intersecting said first direction; wherein a plurality of interior partitions include a folding tab section extending from one of a first side edge of a partitioning section such that a second side edge comprises a free edge, wherein said folding tab section is configured for folding about a vertically extending fold line located at an intersection of the partitioning section and said folding tab section; wherein each of said folding tab sections are attached to one of said one or more exterior panels; wherein each of said partitioning sections of each of said first number of interior partitions are mated with each of said partitioning sections of each of said second number of interior partitions by way of said slots in said partitioning sections of said first and second number of interior partitions to define a series of individual compartments within the interior compartment; wherein the partitioned container further comprises a gap between said free edge and an interior surface of an adjacent portion of said one or more exterior panels; and wherein a folding tab section of an adjacent interior partition extends through said gap, and across more than one individual compartment of said partitioned container.
16. The partition container of claim 15, wherein: a plurality of interior partitions include: a first folding tab section extending from a right-side edge of the partitioning section, and configured for folding about a vertically extending fold line located at said right-side edge; a second folding tab section extending from a left-side edge of the partitioning section, and configured for folding about a vertically extending fold line located at said left-side edge.
17. The partition container of claim 15 wherein: a said folding tab section of said adjacent interior partition extends through said gap, and substantially across two individual compartments of said partitioned container.
18. The partition container of claim 15, wherein: said slots of each interior partition define spacing between each of a plurality of panel tabs; and wherein each panel tab comprises non-right-angle corners along an open edge.
19. A partitioned container comprising: one or more exterior panels defining an interior compartment; a first number of interior partitions, each comprising: a partitioning section comprising a number of slots extending from one of a top edge or a bottom edge to an intermediate height; a folding tab section extending from one of a first side edge of the partitioning section such that a second side edge comprises a free edge, wherein said folding tab section is configured for folding about a vertically extending fold line located at an intersection of the partitioning section and said folding tab section; wherein each of said folding tab sections are attached to one of said one or more exterior panels; wherein each of said partitioning sections extend alongside one another and substantially cross said interior compartment in a first direction; a second number of interior partitions, each comprising: a partitioning section comprising a number of slots extending from one of a top edge or a bottom edge to an intermediate height thereof; a first folding tab section extending from a right-side edge of the partitioning section, and configured for folding about a vertically extending fold line located at said right-side edge; a second folding tab section extending from a left-side edge of the partitioning section, and configured for folding about a vertically extending fold line located at said left-side edge; wherein each of said partitioning sections extend alongside one another and substantially cross said interior compartment in a second direction intersecting said first direction; wherein each of said first folding tab sections and each of said second folding tab sections are attached to one of said one or more exterior panels; wherein said slots of each interior partition define spacing between each of a plurality of panel tabs, wherein each panel tab comprises non-right-angle corners along an open edge; wherein each of said partitioning sections of each of said first number of interior partitions are mated with each of said partitioning sections of each of said second number of interior partitions by way of said slots in said partitioning sections of said first and second number of interior partitions to define a series of individual compartments within the interior compartment; wherein a gap is included between said free edge of said partitioning section of each of said first number of interior partitions and an interior surface of an adjacent portion of said one or more exterior panels; wherein each folding tab section of said first number of interior partitions extends through one of said gaps substantially across two individual compartments of said partitioned container; and wherein said partitioned container is adapted to be folded about fold lines such that adjacent, parallel interior partitions are substantially in contact with one another.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) 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:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(11) 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. Folding tab sections and gaps may further permit parallel panels to be placed in close proximity to one another to define small compartments protecting small component parts or objects from colliding with one another.
(12) Referring initially to
(13) The partitioned container 10 may further comprise one or more longitudinal panels 16 having a plurality of panel tabs 18. The partitioned container 10 may additionally comprise one or more transverse panels 20 having a partitioning section 22. The transverse panels 20 and longitudinal panels 16 may interlock to define the perimeter of compartments 13, as described below. The transverse panels 20 and longitudinal panels 16 may be surmounted by one or more exterior panels 11 having walls 14 and exterior panel folding tab sections 12. The exterior panel folding tab sections 12 may be rotated about fold lines 15, and interlocked thereafter to define a roof of the partitioned container 10, such as for purposes of storing or shipping objects. In other embodiments, the roof of the partitioned container 10 may be a detachable lid. In certain embodiments, the base 24 of the partitioned container 10 may comprise a floor. In other embodiments, the base 24 of the partitioned container 10 may comprise one or more additional exterior panel folding tab sections. In yet other embodiments, the base 24 of the partitioned container 10 may comprise a pallet surface. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various surfaces and/or materials may be used to define the roof and/or base of an exemplary partitioned container.
(14) Referring now to
(15) Referring specifically to
(16) In another exemplary embodiment,
(17) Referring now specifically to
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(19) Referring to
(20) Referring now to
(21) The present invention is not intended to be limited to the use of a single exterior panel having a mating tab. Depending on the number of compartments desired, a plurality of exterior panels may be required to form the outside of the partitioned container. In such an embodiment, the number of fold lines will be adjusted accordingly. In some embodiments, the exterior panels have a mating recess corresponding to the tabs on the opposite edge. In other embodiments, the exterior panels may have tabs at one edge and mating recesses corresponding to the tabs on the opposite edge. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that there are various ways to surmount an exemplary crate of interlocked transverse panels and longitudinal panels to define the outside of an exemplary partitioned container.
(22) In
(23) It is not intended that the present invention be limited to the use of transverse panel gaps 66 and multiple folding tab sections 40 with respect to longitudinal panels 16. For example, in other exemplary embodiments, each of the longitudinal panels may comprise only one folding tab section and each of the transverse panels may comprise two folding tab sections. In such embodiments, adjacent longitudinal panels may include folding tab sections located on the opposite side of the partitioning section of the longitudinal panel with respect to one another in an alternating arrangement within the partitioned container. A longitudinal panel gap may permit the side of the longitudinal panel without a folding tab section to be placed in close proximity to a midpoint of the folding tab section of the adjacent longitudinal panel without obstructing said adjacent panel's rotation ability or its folding tab section's connection to the exterior panel. The longitudinal panel folding tab section may be configured to extend through the longitudinal panel gap past the adjacent longitudinal panel free edge such that the folding tab section extends substantially across two individual compartments of the partitioned container. In such embodiments, the partitioning sections of the various longitudinal panels may be placed in close parallel proximity to each other.
(24) In still other exemplary embodiments, each of both the longitudinal panels and the transverse panels may comprise only one folding tab section. In yet other exemplary embodiments, some, but not all, of the longitudinal panels and/or the transverse panels may comprise only one folding tab section. The longitudinal panels and/or the transverse panels may be provided in an alternating arrangement within the container such that the folding tab sections are located alternately on each side of adjacent longitudinal panels and/or transverse panels.
(25) Given that with exemplary embodiments, folding tab sections may extend across more than one individual compartment of the partitioned container, folding tab sections may be enlarged relative to the individual compartments. Enlarging the folding tab sections may result in easier application of adhesive to, for example, the folding tab section applied to the exterior panel. This may likewise improve access and suitable surface area for the use of any other type of joining technique as an alternative to, or in addition to, adhesive, such as but not limited to staples, tape, combinations thereof, or the like. This advantage may simplify manufacturing, assembly, and/or breakdown of the container.
(26) Referring now to
(27) In the
(28) As is illustrated in
(29) 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.
(30) 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 referenced herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
(31) 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 form the spirit of the invention as evidenced by the following claims: