Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A SHIPPING CONTAINER
AND DUNNAGE THEREFOR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to dunnage and to a method for packaging
layers of products in a container (sometimes referred to herein as boxes)
without the
weight of superjacent products resting or bearing on subjacent products and
wherein
the products may be readily removed from the container until it is empty. In
one
embodiment, the empty container with or without the dunnage may be returned to
the
sender for re-use, while in another embodiment the container and dunnage are
intended to be discarded.
2. Background Art
In U.S. Patent Nos. 5,267,652 and 5,178,279, dunnage is
disclosed for supporting automotive parts or the like for shipment and storage
pending use on an assembly, line. It is intended that boxes containing the
parts, which are supported in the dunnage, be placed adjacent the
automotive assembly line, and as vehicles move down the line, the parts are
removed from the boxes and placed in or on the vehicle. The dunnage may
comprise elongated strips of polyethylene, polystyrene or the like having
transverse
slots or notches shaped to allow the parts to nestle therein so they do not
rub against
adjacent parts. This arrangement has been quite satisfactory.
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In Patent No. 5,267,652, the dunnage for one layer of products rests
or bears on surfaces of the products of the subjacent layer, and when such
surfaces
are the Class A surfaces may result in marring the same. In such cases it is
desirable to store the parts in layers in the boxes in such fashion that the
superjacent
dunnage is spaced from the Class A surfaces of the subjacent parts. On
occasion
this may be accomplished by designing the dunnage to have upstanding posts,
such
as shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,178,279, where upstanding posts serve to hold
superjacent dunnage out of contact with Class A surfaces of a subjacent layer.
In some instances the shape of the parts is such that the dunnage
disclosed in the `652 patent or the `279 patent cannot be configured in
themselves
to avoid the dunnage of a superjacent layer from resting on or contacting the
Class
A surfaces of the parts in a subjacent layer or for any other reason the
dunnage of
such patents cannot hold the parts out of undesired contact either with other
parts,
or with the container in which the dunnage and parts are stored.
Recently, particularly in the automobile manufacturing industry, the
practice had been growing of using reusable shipping containers or boxes
which,
after being emptied at the automobile manufacturer, are collapsible and are
returned
to the parts supplier for refilling and return shipment to the automobile
manufacturer. It has therefore become desirable to utilize dunnage which may
also
be returnable and which can be returned to the parts supplier within the
collapsed
returning boxes.
Providing dunnage which is usable with collapsible boxes and which
itself is returnable for reuse, has required several modifications in the
design of the
dunnage while still using several of the basic features as described in the
parent
application as originally filed.
In some cases the boxes and dunnage are not intended to be returned
to the parts supplier and in such cases it is desirable to fabricate the
boxes, if not
also the dunnage, of inexpensive "one use" materials. In other cases, it is
desirable
to make the boxes not only of inexpensive materials, but of a design that
allows the
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parts supplier who initially fills the boxes with parts, to store many boxes
in a small
space as an emergency reserve in case, for any reason, the box and dunnage
supplier
cannot deliver the same on time. Solutions to these requirements are disclosed
herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The elongated strips of dunnage shown in U.S. Patent Nos.
5,267,652 or 5,178,279 have proven to be highly desirable for keeping layers
of
products in a storage box or shipping container separated and avoid marring of
class A
surfaces. However, as mentioned above, the products may not lend themselves to
having the weight of a superjacent layer of dunnage and product rest upon the
subjacent layer of product or dunnage. In such instances, we have found that
the
dunnage may nevertheless be used if it is supported out of contact with the
product
or dunnage in a subjacent layer of dunnage. The dunnage shown in U.S. Patent
Nos. 5,267,652 or 5,178,279 is not in itself strong enough to prevent collapse
if the
dunnage is supported only at its ends. But, we have discovered that if each
dunnage
strip is supported from beneath and throughout its length by a reinforcing
member
with opposite ends of the reinforcing member received in pockets or the like
on the
walls of the storage box or shipping container, the dunnage may be used with
good
results.
Accordingly, we disclose dunnage strips which have a soft or resilient
upper portion with upwardly opening product receiving openings and a rigid
lower
reinforcing portion, or member, secured to the underside of the resilient soft
upper
portion and supporting it throughout their length. Ends of the reinforcing
member
are removably disposed in pockets or brackets secured to or disposed within
the
walls of the box or other container within which the goods are housed. The
reinforcing members are removably received in the pockets such that as the
product
is removed from the box, the dunnage may similarly be easily removed simply by
lifting it out of the pockets thereby to gain access to a subjacent layer of
product.
In one form of the reinforcing member, it is formed of a corrugated plastic
panel
scored and folded upon itself in a triangular shape, and the pockets into
which the
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ends of the reinforcing members are received are of a similar V-shape. In
another
form of the reinforcing member, it is an extruded tube of any desired cross-
sectional
shape, such as square, and has sufficiently rigid walls that it will support
the weight
of the products nestled in the dunnage strip on top of it.
In order to make the dunnage usable with collapsible boxes, we have
provided dunnage-supporting pockets for mounting on the walls of the box. In a
preferred embodiment, the dunnage supporting pockets are sufficiently thin or
shallow that they do not interfere with the collapsibility of the boxes. We
accomplish this objective by modifying the ends of the dunnage to provide thin
flanges for reception in the aforesaid thin pockets. We provide a shallow
pocket
design which is not appreciably greater than twice the thickness of the
material from
which the flanges are formed. This permits the collapsible walls of the box to
be
folded inwardly over the floor and between the box walls upon which the
pockets
are mounted, bypassing the pockets without interference.
The box or container walls may comprise upper and lower hingedly
connected wall portions. The lower wall portion may be fixed and the upper
wall
portion hinged to it for folding inwardly over the floor, with the height of
the fixed
wall at the hinge being sufficiently high above the box floor as to create
storage
space for the dunnage between the inwardly swinging upper wall portion and the
floor when the box is to be returned.
In cases where the recipient of product has no further use for the
boxes and dunnage after the product has been removed as, for example, where
the
recipient is far from the supplier and return of the boxes and dunnage is not
economically realistic, disposable boxes and dunnage may be utilized. In such
cases, the boxes may be formed of cardboard with an inner liner. The dunnage
is
supported at opposite ends on brackets which are simply inserted through
suitably
shaped openings in the inner liner of the box. Flanges on the brackets overlie
the
outside of the inner liner of the box. The outer walls of the box fit snugly
over the
inner liner thereby trapping the flange on the brackets between the inner
liner and
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outer walls of the box preventing the brackets from falling
out. No fasteners are required with such a construction.
Provision may also be made to secure the dunnage
resting on the bottom wall, or floor of the box, without the
use of fasteners, by cutting the inner liner of the box to
provide tabs which may be inserted into the open ends of the
dunnage securing it in place.
According to one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a storage box or shipping container and
associated dunnage for elongated products arranged in layers
comprising, in combination: a box having four side walls
with two of the walls being opposed and spaced apart at
least the length of the products to be shipped or stored;
dunnage arranged in layers in the box extending lengthwise
between the other two side walls for receiving and
supporting the products in layers in the box; said dunnage
comprising elongated resilient plastic strips having product
receiving openings within which the products are received
for holding the products out of contact with adjacent
products; reinforcing members comprising elongated,
relatively rigid tubes.
According to another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided dunnage for use with returnable
storage box or shipping containers having four opposed side
walls which are foldable inwardly over a floor in the
container comprising: elongated dunnage having product
receiving openings within which products are received for
holding the products out of contact with adjacent products,
such elongated dunnage to extend crosswise between a first
pair of opposed walls of the container to hold products
extending crosswise between the remaining pair of opposed
walls of the container; dunnage supports for attachment to
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the said first pair of opposed walls of the container and
cooperating with the elongated dunnage to support it in
layers in the container; and said dunnages support being
sufficiently shallow to allow the walls of the container to
be folded inwardly over the floor of the container between
the opposed walls having the brackets mounted thereon.
According to still another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a returnable shipping container
and associated dunnage for elongated products arranged in
layers comprising, in combination: a box having a floor, two
opposed side walls and two opposed end walls, with such
walls being foldable inwardly over the floor to reduce the
height of the box for return shipping; elongated dunnage to
be arranged in layers in the box and extending crosswise
thereof between the opposed side walls and extending
generally parallel to the two end walls; said opposed side
walls having dunnage receiving and supporting brackets
thereon arranged in opposed pairs on such opposed side walls
for receiving the ends of such dunnage extending crosswise
of the box between such side walls; and said dunnage
receiving and supporting brackets projecting inwardly of the
box to receive and support the ends of the dunnage but not
sufficiently to prevent the end walls from being folded
inwardly between the side walls to overlie said floor.
According to yet another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a returnable shipping container
and associated dunnage for elongated products arranged in
layers comprising, in combination: a box having a floor, two
opposed side walls and two opposed end walls; said walls
having swingably connected upper and lower portions with the
lower portion being fixed and the upper portion being
swingable inwardly over the floor; said fixed portion of at
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least some of said walls being hinged to the upper wall
portion sufficiently high above the floor as to create
storage space for dunnage between its inwardly swung upper
wall portion and the floor of the box when the box is to be
returned thereby reducing the height of the box for return
shipment after emptying; and all dunnage for said box being
receivable in said storage space for return shipment with
the box.
According to a further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a storage box or shipping
container for elongated products arranged in layers
comprising, in combination: a box having four side walls and
a floor; a relatively rigid liner for reception in the box
and adapted to closely overlie at least two side walls and
rest on said floor; dunnage extending between said at least
two side walls; dunnage supports having a flange surrounding
an upstanding dunnage engaging and supporting portions;
cut-outs in said liner overlying said at least two side
walls with the cut-outs shaped to embrace the upstanding
dunnage engaging and supporting portion, whereby such
portion may be extended through the cut-out with the flange
trapped between the wall of the box and the overlying liner
after the liner has been inserted in the box; said dunnage
supports engageable with the ends of the dunnage to support
the dunnage in the box.
According to yet a further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a storage box or shipping
container and associated dunnage for supporting multiple
layers of product in the container with each layer held out
of contact with superjacent or subjacent layers wherein the
storage box or shipping container and associated dunnage
comprise: a box having four opposed side walls and a floor;
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a relatively rigid liner received in the box and overlying
at least two side walls thereof and having a floor portion
overlying the floor of the box; dunnage overlying the floor
portion of the liner and extending between the liner which
overlies said at least two opposed side walls; said dunnage
having open ends; and said floor portion of the liner having
integral tabs received in open ends of the dunnage to retain
the dunnage on the floor of the box.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective of our
improved dunnage in a storage box or shipping container;
FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on
line 2-2 in Fig. 1 showing two layers of dunnage and
product;
FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on
line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
FIGURE 4 is a side view of a dunnage support
looking in the direction of arrow 4 of Fig. 3;
FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the plastic corrugated
panel prior to folding into the reinforcing member;
FIGURE 6 is an inside corner perspective of a
returnable shipping box with the improved dunnage therein;
FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a V-shaped
pocket and flange member;
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FIGURE 8 is a view looking down into a box adjacent a dunnage-
supporting bracket and depicting the clearance between a box wall and the
bracket
permitting the collapsing of the box;
FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;
FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of the inside corner of a reuseable
shipping container utilizing our invention;
FIGURE 11 is a perspective view showing the shape and construction
of the interfitting bracket, flange and dunnage tube;
FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of a storage box or shipping container
and associated dunnage for elongated products to be arranged in layers and
wherein the
box and dunnage are expendable;
FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of the box of Fig. 12 with side
walls partially cut away to view the interior of the box;
FIGURE 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 14-14 of
Fig. 13;
FIGURE 15 is a view of the box of Fig. 13 looking downwardly
toward the floor or bottom wall; and
FIGURE 16 is a plan view of the inner liner for the bottom wall of
the box of Fig. 13 showing locking tabs for retaining dunnage resting on the
bottom
wall.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
In the following description of preferred embodiments of the
invention, alphabetical subscripts are used with numerical designations to
indicate
similar parts or parts having similar functions.
Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a corner of a storage box or shipping
container 10 (sometimes referred to herein as a box) for elongated products,
a.:
representative few of which are depicted at 12. The storage box or shipping
container
is of conventional construction having four side walls 14 and 16 and opposite
parallel walls not shown. Conventionally, the storage box or shipping
container will
have a bottom wall 18 and may be open at the top. The container may be formed
of any suitable material such as cardboard, plastic, metal or the like,
depending
upon the nature of the products being shipped and the conditions of shipment.
In
the present case, it is intended that the storage box or shipping container be
of a box-like
construction with the end wall 16 and its opposite wall (not shown) being
spaced
apart at least the length of the product 12, and the dunnage supporting the
product
extending transversely of the product between the side wall 14 and its
opposite wall
(not shown). A principal use is in the automotive supply business in which
storage box or shipping containers are filled with products at an automotive
supplier and
then the container is shipped to the automotive assembly plant and placed
adjacent
the assembly line. As a vehicle on the line approaches the container, a
workman
may remove the products from the container and affix them to the vehicle. This
is
desirably accomplished by simply lifting the products vertically out of the
box and
placing them on or in the vehicle. When the top layer of products has been
removed, it is desirable that the dunnage similarly be easily removed
exposir3g the
next subjacent layer of product for use.
The product contained within the box which is shown at 12 in Fig.
1 for purposes of illustration is assumed to have an upwardly facing Class A
surface
which must not be marred or disfigured during storage and shipment.
Accordingly,
superjacent layers of dunnage and product are not allowed to rest upon the
Class A
surfaces. Such surfaces are indicated by the reference numeral 20 in Fig. 1.
The
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elongated products extend between the end wall 16 and its opposite wall (not
shown)
while the dunnage extends at substantially right angles to the product and
extends
between the side wall 14 and its opposite wall (not shown).
The dunnage comprises an upwardly facing product receiving and
supporting strip in the form of an extruded plastic tube 22 and a downwardly
facing
rigidifying portion 34 (see Fig. 2) extending along beneath the tube to
support the
same against collapse and hold it out of contact with an underlying layer of
the
products. The extruded plastic tubes 22 are resilient and soft enough so that
they
do not mar other surfaces of the product, which may include Class A surfaces.
The
character of such tubing is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,267,652. Each tube
has
a series of cut-outs or openings 24 which are shaped and adapted to receive
the
products to be shipped or stored in the container. A cross-section of a
typical tube
is shown at 22 in Fig. 3. The tube has a crown portion 26, side walls 28 and
30 and
a bottom wall 32. For more detail of the tubes, reference should be made to
U.S.
Patent No. 5,267,652.
To support the dunnage and prevent collapse when loaded with the
products to be shipped or stored, and to hold it spaced out of contact with
superjacent or subjacent layers of the product, reinforcing members 34 extend
along
the length of the tubes and in supporting abutment with the bottom wal132
thereof
as best shown in Fig. 3. Each reinforcing member is preferably formed from a
relatively rigid corrugated-like sheet or panel 36 scored and then folded into
triangular configuration as shown in Fig. 5. The panel 36 is sold under the
name
COR-X by several companies including Primax Plastics Corporation of Richmond,
Virginia. The material used in manufacturing the panel may be either
polypropylene
or polyethylene. The scoring is indicated at 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46. The
scoring
enables the plastic sheet or panel to be folded into the triangular
configuration
shown in Fig. 3. The narrowest panel 48 defined by the score line 46 and the
edge
50 of the sheet is depicted in Fig. 3. Other panels defined by the scoring of
the
sheet are depicted at 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 in Fig. 5, and some of such panels
are
referenced in Fig. 3. The load bearing capacity of the reinforcing members 34
may
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be increased or reduced by the number of score lines and consequent number of
laminations in the reinforcing members.
To secure the reinforcing member to the tube and also prevent the
reinforcing member from delaminating, staples 62, one of which is shown in
Fig.
3, may be driven through the several laminations or panels and also through
the
bottom wall 32 of the tube. This will serve to prevent delamination of the
reinforcing member and also hold the reinforcing member and tube together.
Staples 62 may be spaced apart along the length of the tube and reinforcing
member
as desired.
In addition to, or in lieu of the staples 62, bag ties 64 may also be
used to secure the reinforcing member to the tube and prevent delamination. In
the
case of bag ties, holes 65 would be provided in the tubes and the bag ties
threaded
therethrough and around the reinforcing members 34 as shown in Fig. 2. The
laminations of the reinforcing member can also be held together by sonic
welding.
The ends of the reinforcing members 34 are supported on the side
wall 14 of the box 10, and its opposed companion wall not shown, by dunnage
supports 66 which may be molded or vacuum-formed of any suitable plastic. Each
of the supports comprises a base plate 68 with a V-shaped shoulder 70, the
apex 72
of which extends downwardly with the shoulder forming a V-shaped pocket into
which the end of the reinforcing member is received. This is best shown in
Figs.
2 and 3. The dunnage supports 66 may be secured to the side wall 14 of the box
and the opposite companion wall (not shown) by rivets 74 as shown in Fig. 2.
The
dunnage supports open upwardly at the ends 75 and 77 of the V-shaped shoulder
as
best shown in Fig. 3, and the dunnage tubes and associated reinforcing members
may be placed in and readily removed from the V-shaped pockets.
If desired, an adhesive layer 81 may be disposed between the side
wall 14 of the container and the plate 68 of the dunnage support as shown in
Fig. 4.
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While we have illustrated the invention in reference to the use of
tubular dunnage 40, such as shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,267,652, it will be
understood that the cast or vacuum formed plastic strips illustrated in U.S.
Patent
No. 5,178,279 may be similarly used with the reinforcing members 34 whereby
the
vacuum formed strips are supported throughout their length and ends of the
reinforcing members are received in V-shaped or the like pockets in or at the
side
walls of the containers. Such strips may be secured to the reinforcing members
34
by the use of bag ties, stapling or any other suitable devices.
In Figs. 6-11, inclusive, we disclose modifications of the dunnage
enabling its use with collapsible shipping containers or boxes. Such boxes are
generally formed of relatively rigid materials and may be formed of plastic
castings,
metal or other materials that will withstand abuse and protect the parts
supported by
the dunnage within the boxes during shipment and handling. In Figs. 6 and 10
we
have shown the inside corner of a returnable box l0a having a side wall 14a
composed of a upper foldable portion 14b and a lower fixed portion 14c. In
Fig.
6 an end wall 16a, extending between side walls 14a (only one of which is
shown),
has an upper portion 16b hinged at 17 to a lower fixed wall portion 16c. The
upper
wall portion is shown upright in Fig. 6, while in Fig. 10, the wall portion
16b is
swung inwardly between the side walls and over the floor of the box (not
shown).
Extending transversely of the box between the side wall 14a and the opposed
complementary wall not shown, is a length of the dunnage 22a supported at
opposite
ends in shallow pockets or brackets 66a as shown in Figs. 6 and 10. Normally,
a
length of dunnage 22a would not be in place when an end wall had been folded
inwardly over the bottom of the box as in Fig. 10. Thus, Fig. 10 is for
illustrative
purposes only and does not depict the normal position of the dunnage vis-a-vis
the
end walls 16 of the box.
The upper portion 14b of the side wall is hinged to the lower rigid
portion 14c at the hinge area 15 whereby the upper portion 14b may be folded
inwardly of the box to overlie the upper portion 16b of the end wall which has
been
folded in over the bottom wall of the box in Fig. 10. The shallow pockets 66a
permit the end wall portions 16b to be folded inwardly and bypass the pockets
as
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best shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The pockets comprise an outer flange 76
surrounding
an outwardly displaced retainer wall 78, which is displaced out of the plane
of the
flange 76 by only slightly more than the thickness of the material of which
the flange
79 of the retainer 80 is formed. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and 11,
there
is a U-shaped opening 82 in the retainer wall 78 to accommodate the U-shaped
neck
84. The neck is adapted to receive and embrace the end of reinforcing member
34a
which extends along and beneath the dunnage strip 22a. To prevent dislodgement
of the neck 80 from the ends of the tubular reinforcing member 34a, bag ties
86 or
other suitable retainer means may be received through holes 87 in the neck and
the
reinforcing member. The pockets 66a may be secured in any convenient fashion
to
the walls of the container, such as by the use of screws, stapling or rivets
89 or by
adhesive as previously disclosed at 80 in Fig. 4.
The tubular reinforcing members 34a are depicted as essentially
square, but may be of whatever shape desired to carry the weight of the
articles
nested in the dunnage. For example, the triangular reinforcing members 34
shown
in Figs. 2 and 3 may be utilized. In this case, the retainer 80a, as shown in
Fig. 7,
is very similar to retainer 80 except for the shape of the shoulder 84a
adapted to
receive the triangular reinforcing tube and the shape of the cut-out 82a.
Desirably,
the pocket 66a and the retainer 80 are formed of polyethylene with a thickness
of
substantially .105" such that the depth of the pocket measured perpendicular
to the
wall 14b is approximately a 1/4".
In order to facilitate proper orientation of the products to be
supported by the dunnage, the necks 84'and the pockets 66a on one wall of the
container or box may be of one color while the necks and pockets on the
opposite
wall of the container may be a different color. This will enable the workman
to
place the dunnage in proper orientation in the box to accommodate the products
to
be carried thereby.
It will be noted, particularly in Fig. 10, that the height of the fixed
lower wall portion 16c is sufficient to provide a storage area between the
floor of
the box and the inwardly folded wall 16b. The dimensioning is such that the
upper
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wall portion 14b may be folded inwardly over the floor of the box to overlie
the
inwardly folded wall 16b. Beneath such walls, the dunnage may be stored when
the
box is returned to the sender.
In Fig. 12 we show in perspective an exploded view of a storage box
or shipping container formed of cardboard. While the box may be formed of more
durable material, we anticipate the principal use to be where the recipient of
products shipped in the box does not intend to return the box and dunnage to
the
supplier. The box and dunnage may also be used as a backup in situations where
boxes and dunnage of the character heretofore described are not available and
it is
necessary to utilize boxes and dunnage which have been in storage. Thus, for
example, where an automobile parts supplier suddenly is without boxes and
dunnage
in which to ship its product to its automotive customer, it may have a backup
system
of collapsible cardboard boxes and dunnage which may be stored in a relatively
small space and used in an emergency to ship its products to its customers.
This
may be referred to as disposable boxes aind dunnage.
As shown in Figs. 12-16, the box 96 has outer side walls 100, 102,
104 and 106 and a bottom wall 108 (see Fig. 14). The bottom wall 108 may
conventionally be formed with overlapping flaps attached to one or more of the
side
walls, such that upon folding the flaps outwardly, the entire box structure
may be
laid flat to occupy a minimal space during storage and then opened up and the
bottom flaps folded to overlie each other when made ready for use. As
cardboard
boxes are well known, such need not be further described.
An inner liner 98 comprising side walls 110, 112, 114 and 116 is
snugly received within the outer walls 100, 102, 104 and 106 of the box. The
inner
liner 98 may also include a floor portion or bottom wall 118 which is intended
to
rest upon the bottom wall 108 of the box 96. The side walls of the liner may
be
hingedly connected at the corners 120, 122, 124 and 126 so that it may also be
folded flat to occupy minimal space when not in use. Alternatively, the inner
liner
may omit walls 112 and 116 so that the liner would comprise only walls 110 and
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114 together with the bottom wall 118. The inner liner may also be made of
cardboard or other relatively rigid material.
The dunnage 128 may be similar to or the same as that heretofore
disclosed at reference numeral 22 with reinforcing members 34 or 34a. As
heretofore described, the dunnage is supported at opposite side walls of the
box. In
the construction shown in Figs. 12-15, the inner liner has triangular cut-outs
130
into which may be inserted the V-shaped shoulders 84b of the brackets 132 as
shown
in Figs. 12, 13 and 14. The brackets 132 are similar in appearance to the
retainer
80a shown in Fig. 7 where a flange 79a has an outwardly extending V-shaped
shoulder 84a. In the case of the brackets 132, the shoulder 84b upstands
slightly
further from the flange 79a than is depicted in Fig. 7 because the V-shaped
shoulder
84b must extend through the walls 114 and 110 of the inner liner 98 to project
beyond the interior face of the liner 98 so as to be able to support the ends
of the V-
shaped reinforcing members 34b. Such shoulders correspond, except for the
shape,
to the reinforcing members 34a shown in Figs. 6 and 10 and the V-shaped
reinforcing members 34 shown in Fig. 3. When the outer box walls 100, 102, 104
and 106 are telescoped over the inner liner walls 110, 112, 114 and 116, the
walls
trap the flange 131 of the brackets 132 in place within the cut-outs 130.
To lock the dunnage in position against the floor 118, the reinforcing
strip 34, 34a or 34b is omitted and the floor 118 when die-cut is configured
to have
integral locking tabs 140, 142, 144 and 146 with crease lines 148 and 150
whereby
the tabs may be folded up into the configuration shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14,
and
the end portion of each is inserted within the open ends 152 of the dunnage.
Such
tabs thus hold the associated dunnage strips against the floor 118. The
overlying
walls 106 and 112 of the box prevent the tabs from being pulled out of the
dunnage
strips.
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe
all
possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification
are
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CA 02528125 2005-11-28
CPC 0117 PCA2
words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various
changes
may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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