Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
DIVIDER BOXES AND THEIR ASSEMBLY
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates generally to paperboard containers, and more
particularly to divider box and assembly.
Existing divider systems are primarily for providing internal dividers within
the
box container perimeter. The dividers may be formed of interlocking sheets.
The
interlocking sheets commonly comprise interior divided cells, and perimeter
cells
that are open around the perimeter of the divider. Alternatively, interlocking
divider
partitions do not delineate a complete perimeter cell, but provide for an
abbreviated
perimeter cell that functions as an air cell around the perimeter of the
divider.
These perimeter air cells result in a waste of a significant portion of the
box
container volume, and add weight to the divider system that does not provide
for
additional item cells. In addition, heavy items carried in the interior cells
may shift
and collapse the perimeter air cells, allowing additional shifting of the
contents of
the box container. Shifting can cause impact damage or lead to the collapse of
a
stack of box containers.
In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that alternatives to the interlocking
divider systems known in the art would improve efficiency in the shipping and
manufacturing industries.
BROAD STATEMENT
A divider box contains a plurality of individual compartments. The divider
box includes a series of substantially parallel transverse panels. Each
transverse
1
STL-DBA/CDA-DIV
CA 2969935 2017-06-08
panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. The
transverse
panels have a series of slots extending from the bottom edge of each
transverse
panel upwardly. Each transverse panel has a folded tab at each side edge
thereof.
The divider box also includes a series of substantially parallel longitudinal
panels.
Each longitudinal panel has a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side
edges.
The transverse panels have a series of slots extending from the top edge of
each
transverse panel downwardly. The transverse panels and the longitudinal panels
are perpendicularly disposed with the transverse panel slots being placed
within the
longitudinal panel slots to create a crate of individual compartments. The
divider
box also has at least a pair of exterior panels. Each exterior panel has a top
edge, a
bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. The exterior panels have at least a
pair of
tabs at one side edge and at least a pair of mating recesses on the opposite
side
edge. Each panel has at least 1 vertical fold line. The exterior panels
surmount the
crate for forming an outside of the divider box. Each folded transverse panel
tab is
joined to the exterior panels and the exterior panel tabs and recesses are
mated.
The divider box is completed by having a lid and a bottom tray.
In an aspect, there is provided a divider box assembly containing a plurality
of individual compartments, which comprises:
a) a series of substantially parallel transverse panels, each transverse
panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges,
said transverse panels having a series of slots extending from said
bottom edge of each transverse panel upwardly, each transverse
panel having a folded tab at each said side edge thereof;
b) a series of substantially parallel longitudinal panels, each
longitudinal
panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges,
said transverse panels having a series of slots extending from said
top edge of each transverse panel downwardly; said transverse
panels and said longitudinal panels being perpendicularly disposed
with said transverse panel slots being placed within said longitudinal
panel slots to create a crate of individual compartments; and
2
STL-DBA/CDA-DIV
CA 2969935 2017-06-08
c) at
least a pair of exterior panels, each exterior panel having a top
edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges, said exterior panels
having at least one tab at one side edge and at least one mating
recesses on the opposite side edge wherein said mated panel tabs
and recesses of said pair of exterior panels being adhesively joined to
a transverse panel fold tab, each panel having at least 1 vertical fold
line, said exterior panels surmounting said crate for forming an
outside of said divider box, each folded transverse panel tab being
joined to said exterior panels, said exterior panel tab(s) and
recess(es) being mated, wherein said divider box assembly is foldable
such that two opposing side panels remain parallel to each other while
being folded and a remaining first panel and second panel fold into
substantially equal sections, the sections of the remaining first panel
folding to contact each other and the sections of the remaining second
panel folding about a portion of the transverse and longitudinal
panels.
In another aspect, there is provided a divider box assembly containing a
plurality of individual components, which comprises:
a series of substantially parallel transverse panels, each transverse
panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges, said
transverse panels having a series of slots extending from said bottom edge
of each transverse panel upwardly, each transverse panel having a folded
tab at each said side edge thereof;
a series of substantially parallel longitudinal panels, each longitudinal
panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges, said
transverse panels having a series of slots extending from said top edge of
each transverse panel downwardly, each longitudinal panel having a folded
tab at each side edge thereof;
3
STL-DBA/CDA-DIV
CA 2969935 2017-06-08
said transverse panels and said longitudinal panels being
perpendicularly disposed with said transverse panel slots being placed within
said longitudinal panel slots to create a crate of individual compartments;
and
a plurality of exterior panels, at least one external panel affixed to said
tabs at a first end of said transverse panels, at least one external panel
affixed to said tabs at a second end of said transverse panels.
In another aspect, there is provided a method of making a divider box
assembly comprising the steps of:
arranging a plurality of parallel transverse panels, each comprising a
plurality
of slots extending from a lower edge and further comprising a first tab
located at a
first end of such transverse panel and a second tab located at a second end of
said
transverse panel, with a plurality of longitudinal panels, each with a
plurality of slots
extending downward from an upper edge and further comprising a first tab
located
at a first end of such longitudinal panel and a second tab located at a second
end of
said longitudinal panel, such that said transverse panels are positioned
perpendicularly and interlocking said longitudinal panels at each of said
slots;
arranging at least a first exterior end panel such that it is in contact with
each
of the plurality of first tabs of said transverse panels;
affixing said plurality of first tabs of said transverse panels to said first
end
exterior panel;
arranging at least a second end exterior panel such that it is in contact with
each of the plurality of second tabs of said transverse panels;
affixing said plurality of second tabs of said transverse panel to said second
end exterior panel;
arranging at least a first exterior side panel such that it is in contact with
each
of the plurality of first tabs of said longitudinal panels;
4
STL-DBA/CDA-DIV
CA 2969935 2017-06-08
affixing said plurality of first tabs of said longitudinal panels to said
first side
exterior panel;
arranging at least a second exterior side panel such that it is in contact
with
each of the plurality of second tabs of said longitudinal panels; and
affixing said plurality of second tabs of said longitudinal panels to said
second exterior side panel.
In an aspect, there is provided a divider box assembly comprising:
a plurality of the divider box assemblies of an aspect herein where at least
one exterior panel of each of said divider box assemblies is affixed to an
exterior
.. panel of another divider box assembly; and
a bottom cover that covers an open end of said plurality of divider box
assemblies of an aspect herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present
method and process, reference should be had to the following detailed
description
taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the disclosed divider box assembly formed from
a pair of divider boxes;
Fig. 2 is an isometric view of a disclosed divider box, such as is used for
forming the divider box assembly of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of a longitudinal locking panel;
Fig. 4 is a plan view of a lateral locking panel;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of an exterior wrapping panel;
Fig. 6 is a top view of the divider box assembly of Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is an isometric view of the divider box assembly of Fig. 1 starting to
be
folded about its center;
5
STL-DBNCDA-DIV
CA 2969935 2017-06-08
Fig. 8 is an isometric view of the divider box assembly of Fig. 7 almost
completely folded; and
Fig. 9 is an isometric view of the divider box assembly of Fig. 7 being folded
down for shipment.
The drawings will be described in further detail below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The disclosed divider box assembly is useful in shipping individual
.. component parts in individual compartments so as to prevent damage by the
parts,
for example, by bumping against each other during shipment. The disclosed
divider
box assembly can be shipped in a relatively flat, folded down configuration
and then
unfolded at the plant for stuffing with parts. The entire volume of the
divider box is
used for storing component parts inasmuch as compartments fill the entire
interior
volume of the divider box.
Referring initially to Figs. 1 and 2, a divider box assembly, 10, is seen in
Fig.
1 to be composed of two divider boxes, 12 and 14, divider box 14 being shown
in
Fig. 2. Each divider box 12 and 14 is seen to have 30 individual compartments
for
stuffing with the same or different component parts for shipment. Such number
of
compartments is by way of illustration and not limitation.
Referring additionally to Figs. 3, 4, and 5, each divider box 12 and 14 is
formed by a series of panels, 16, (Fig. 3) that each have a series of slots,
18a-18i,
running up from the bottom of panel 16 upwardly to about the midpoint of the
height
thereof. Fold lines, 20 and 22, run from top to bottom close to each side edge
of
panel 16 forming end tabs, 19 and 21, respectively.
A second panel, 24, (Fig. 4) has a pair of downwardly projecting slots, 26a -
26b, running from the top edge of panel 24 to about its midpoint. The number
of
slots 18a-18i and 26a- 26b could be in greater or fewer number than that shown
in
the drawings. Importantly, however, slots 18a-18i and 26a - 26b cooperate for
mutual insertion when panels slots 18a-18i and 26a - 26b are placed at right
angles
6
STL-DBA/CDA-DIV
CA 2969935 2017-06-08
to each other to form the individual compartments shown for divider boxes 12
and
14.
The number of individual compartments for each divider box also is a matter
of choice and can be fewer or greater than that shown in the drawings.
Referring additionally to Figs. 5 and 6 where prime numbers indicate similar
parts described with reference to Figs. 1-4 above, panels 16 and 24 are seen
in
position forming individual compartments. Surmounting the series of panels and
forming the outside of the disclosed divider box is a pair of exterior panels,
typified
by panels, 28' and 30' (see Fig. 2). Panels 28' and 30' have a pair of tabs,
32a and
32b, on one end and a pair of mating recesses, 34a and 34b, on the other end.
Each panel also has a pair of fold lines, 36a and 36b, running from top to
bottom of each panel, the distance therebetween determining the lateral
dimensions of each divider box.
Tabs and recesses of panels 28' and 30' are placed in a mating relationship
and affixed to an end of panel 16 or a similar such panel, such as by
adhesive,
tape, bands, or other convenient mechanism. Depending on the number of
compartments desired, more than 2 panel 28's may be required to form the
outside
of the divider box. Thus, the number of fold lines for panel 28' may need to
be
adjusted accordingly.
Each panel 16 will have the ends folded over to be similarly adhered to panel
28' or 30' by adhesive, tape, or other mechanism (see Fig. 6). The process,
then, is
repeated for forming all of the compartments and outside of each divider box.
Figs.
1 and 6 show a divider box assembly where two divider boxes have been joined
together for forming the assembly.
One of the unique features of the disclosed divider boxes is their ability to
fold flat for shipment from their place of manufacture to the plant for use.
Referring
now to Figs. 7, 8, and 9, each divider box 28 and 30 have folded about their
joining,
as seen in Fig. 7. Such folding is continued, as in Fig. 8, until the assembly
is flat,
as seen in Fig. 9. Each divider box 28 and 30 also has been folded flat; thus,
making shipment of each divider box and their assembly take up much less space
7
STL-DBNCDA-DIV
CA 2969935 2017-06-08
Upon reaching the plant for use, the process shown in Figs. 7-9 is reversed
until the assembly shown in Fig. 1 is reached. Referring again to Fig. 1, a
lid/base
15, is shown. Such lid/base 15 can be placed under each divider box for
forming a
base and atop each divider box for forming a lid. Each lid/base can be affixed
by
adhesive, tape, metal slats, or the like for retaining the component parts
securely in
each divider box.
Materials of construction for forming the divider boxes can be a paperboard
or corrugated paperboard material, such as, for example, cardboard,
pasteboard,
fiberboard, corrugated plastic sheets, or the like. However, any recyclable
material
having the necessary strength and rigidity for the particular application
envisioned is
suitable. As to the preferred paperboard materials, it will be appreciated
that the
wall construction thereof, i.e., single-ply, double-ply, or higher, may be
varied
depending upon the application. The divider boxes and divider box assemblies
will
be described in particular reference to the use of corrugated paperboard;
however,
such description is illustrative and not a limitation on the present
disclosure.
While the divider boxes 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
divider box not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed.
8
STL-DBA/CDA-DIV
CA 2969935 2017-06-08
