PARTITION INSERT AND ASSOCIATED CONTAINER SYSTEM AND METHOD
Provided is a container system comprising a container and a partition insert. The container has a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls. The bottom wall and the side walls define an internal volume. The partition insert is connected to the container and is within the internal volume. The partition insert has a partition panel selectively movable between at least a stowed configuration and a raised configuration. In the raised configuration the partition panel divides the internal volume into at least two compartments.
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The present patent application relates to product containers, container partitions, and forming same. More particularly the present patent application relates to container blanks and partition insert blanks that are engaged to one another and are selectably reconfigurable to provide a container with zero, one or more partitions.
BACKGROUNDProduct containers having partitions are known in the art. Making such product containers that are less expensive, or weigh less, or are stronger, or are more adaptable to a variety of product container requirements, continues to be desirable.
Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue with research and development efforts in the field of product containers and container partitions.
SUMMARYDisclosed are partition inserts, which may be used with containers.
In one example, the partition insert includes a partition panel selectively movable between at least a stowed configuration and a raised configuration, wherein, when in the raised configuration, the partition panel divides an internal volume of a container into at least two compartments.
Also disclosed are container systems having a container and a partition insert.
In one example, the disclosed container system includes a container having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls that define an internal volume. The partition insert is connected to the container and is within the internal volume. The partition insert has a partition panel selectively movable between at least a stowed configuration and a raised configuration. In the raised configuration, the partition panel divides the internal volume into at least two compartments.
In another example, the disclosed container system includes a container that is reconfigurable between a container flat configuration and a container structure configuration. The container has a bottom wall and a side wall selectively movable with respect to the bottom wall. The partition insert is reconfigurable between a partition flat configuration and at least one partition structure configuration. The partition insert has a base panel connected to the bottom wall, a side panel connected to the side wall, and a selectively movable partition panel.
Also disclosed are methods for configuring a container having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls, wherein the bottom wall and the plurality of side walls define an internal volume.
In one example, the disclosed method includes (1) connecting to the container a partition insert having a partition panel and (2) moving the partition panel from a stowed configuration to a raised configuration, wherein, in the raised configuration, the partition panel divides the internal volume into at least two compartments.
Other examples of the disclosed partition insert and associated container system and method will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
Disclosed are partition inserts 300, container systems 100, and methods for configuring a container 200. The container system 100 can be reconfigured from a container system flat configuration 170, as shown in
Referring now to
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
The container 200, particularly the container 200 in the flat configuration 270 shown in
Referring now to
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
The partition insert 300, particularly the partition insert 300 in the flat configuration 370 shown in
Referring now to both
Each preformed weakness 104 is a region where the material forming the container 200 (or, as discussed below, the material forming the partition insert 300) is substantially weaker than the rest of the material. By substantially weaker, it is meant that the weakness is sufficiently greater that the preformed weakness 104 is preferentially bendable at the location defined thereby such that the preformed weakness 104 is adapted to function as a living hinge. In the examples shown, a preformed weakness 104 is at least one of a score, a crease, and a perforation. It should be understood that the weakness here is relative to the rest of the material, so that it is also acceptable in some examples to create a preformed weakness 104 by strengthening or reinforcing the rest of the material in a manner chosen with good engineering judgment. Each of the above-referenced edges 241, 242, 243, 244, 246, 247, 248, 249, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 341, 342, 343 344, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358 is adapted to function as a living hinge and, as mentioned above, each of the above-referenced edges 241, 242, 243, 244, 246, 247, 248, 249, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 341, 342, 343 344, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358 may be defined by a performed weakness 104. Similarly, each of the above-referenced wall gussets 261, 263, 265, 267 and each of the above-referenced panel gussets 361, 363, 2365, 367 is divided by a preformed weakness 104 and each such dividing preformed weakness 104 is adapted to function as a living hinge.
Referring now to
With further reference to
As referenced above, the container system 100 can be reconfigured from the container system flat configuration 170, as shown in
The first container system structure configuration 182 is shown in
When in the container structure configuration 280, the container 200 is configured such that the plurality of side walls 220 and the bottom wall 210 define an internal volume 202. For the purposes of describing the container structure configuration 280, the position of any or all of the optional first side wall lid 292, the optional third side wall lid 294, the optional second side wall lid 296 and the optional fourth side wall lid 298 is immaterial. The first side wall lid 292, the third side wall lid 294, the second side wall lid 296 and the fourth side wall lid 298 are each shown open in each of
Reconfiguring the container 200 from the container flat configuration 270 (see
When in the first partition structure configuration 382, the partition insert 300 is configured such that the first side panel 332 and the second side panel 336 are both upright relative to the base panel 310 and are facing one another. Further, when in the first partition structure configuration 382, the partition insert 300 is configured such that the first partition panel 322 is in the stowed configuration 324, wherein the first partition panel 322 is substantially coplanar with the base panel 310 and does not divide the internal volume 202. Further, when in the first partition structure configuration 382, the partition insert 300 is configured such that the second partition panel 326 is in the stowed configuration 327, wherein the second partition panel 326 is substantially coplanar with the base panel 310 and does not divide the internal volume 202.
The second container system structure configuration 184 is shown in
The container structure configuration 280 in second container system structure configuration 184 is the same as the container structure configuration 280 described above with respect to first container system structure configuration 182. Similarly, reconfiguring the container 200 from the container flat configuration 270 (see
When in the second partition structure configuration 384, the partition insert 300 is configured such that the first side panel 332 and the second side panel 336 are both upright relative to the base panel 310 and are facing one another. Further, when in the second partition structure configuration 384, the partition insert 300 is configured such that the first partition panel 322 is in the raised configuration 325, wherein the first partition panel 322 is substantially upright with respect to the base panel 310 and divides the internal volume 202. Further, when in the second partition structure configuration 384, the partition insert 300 is configured such that the second partition panel 326 is in the stowed configuration 327, wherein the second partition panel 326 is substantially coplanar with the base panel 310 and does not divide the internal volume 202. Reconfiguring the partition insert 300 from the first partition structure configuration 382 (see
The third container system structure configuration 186 is shown in
The container structure configuration 280 in third container system structure configuration 186 is the same as the container structure configuration 280 described above with respect to first container system structure configuration 182. Similarly, reconfiguring the container 200 from the container flat configuration 270 (see
When in the third partition structure configuration 386, the partition insert 300 is configured such that the first side panel 332 and the second side panel 336 are both upright relative to the base panel 310 and are facing one another. Further, when in the third partition structure configuration 386, the partition insert 300 is configured such that the first partition panel 322 is in the stowed configuration 324, wherein the first partition panel 322 is substantially coplanar with the base panel 310 and does not divide the internal volume 202. Further, when in the third partition structure configuration 386, the partition insert 300 is configured such that the second partition panel 326 is substantially upright with respect to the base panel 310 and divides the internal volume 202. Reconfiguring the partition insert 300 from the first partition structure configuration 382 (see
The fourth container system structure configuration 188 is shown in
The container structure configuration 280 in fourth container system structure configuration 188 is the same as the container structure configuration 280 described above with respect to first container system structure configuration 182. Similarly, reconfiguring the container 200 from the container flat configuration 270 (see
When in the fourth partition structure configuration 388, the partition insert 300 is configured such that the first side panel 332 and the second side panel 336 are both upright relative to the base panel 310 and are facing one another. Further, when in the fourth partition structure configuration 388, the partition insert 300 is configured such that the first partition panel 322 is in the raised configuration 325, wherein the first partition panel 322 is substantially upright with respect to the base panel 310 and divides the internal volume 202. Further, when in the fourth partition structure configuration 388, the partition insert 300 is configured such that the second partition panel 326 is substantially upright with respect to the base panel 310 and divides the internal volume 202. Reconfiguring the partition insert 300 from the first partition structure configuration 382 (see
Although various examples of the disclosed partition insert and associated container system and method have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A container system comprising:
- a container comprising a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls wherein the bottom wall and the plurality of side walls define an internal volume (202); and
- a partition insert connected to the container within the internal volume the partition insert comprising a partition panel selectively movable between at least a stowed configuration and a raised configuration wherein, when in the raised configuration the partition panel divides the internal volume into at least two compartments.
2. The container system of claim 1 wherein, when in the stowed configuration the partition panel does not divide the internal volume into the at least two compartments.
3. The container system of claim 1 wherein the partition insert is connected to the container by at least one of an adhesive and a heat-seal.
4. The container system of claim 1 wherein the partition insert is connected to the bottom wall.
5. The container system of claim 1 wherein the partition insert is connected to the bottom wall and to at least one side wall of the plurality of side walls.
6. (canceled)
7. The container system of claim 1 wherein the partition panel is a first partition panel and wherein the partition insert further comprises a base panel adjacent the first partition panel a second partition panel adjacent the base panel a first side panel adjacent the base panel, and a second side panel adjacent the base panel.
8. The container system of claim 7 wherein the second partition panel is selectively movable between at least a stowed configuration and a raised configuration wherein, in the raised configuration the second partition panel divides the internal volume into at least two compartments, and wherein, in the stowed configuration the second partition panel does not divide the internal volume into the at least two compartments.
9. The container system of claim 7 wherein the base panel is connected to the bottom wall the first side panel is connected to a first side wall of the plurality of side walls and the second side panel is connected to a second side wall of the plurality of side walls.
10. The container system of claim 7 wherein:
- the base panel is bounded on a base panel first edge by the first partition panel the base panel first edge being defined at least in part by a preformed weakness
- the base panel is bounded on a base panel second edge by the first side panel the base panel second edge being defined at least in part by a preformed weakness
- the base panel is bounded on a base panel third edge by the second partition panel the base panel third edge being defined at least in part by a preformed weakness and
- the base panel is bounded on a base panel fourth edge by the second side panel the base panel fourth edge being defined at least in part by a preformed weakness.
11. (canceled)
12. The container system of claim 7 wherein:
- the first partition panel is bounded on a first partition panel first edge by a first panel gusset
- the first side panel is bounded on a first side panel first edge by the first panel gusset
- the first side panel is bounded on a first side panel second edge by a second panel gusset
- the second partition panel is bounded on a second partition panel first edge by the second panel gusset
- the second partition panel is bounded on a second partition panel second edge by a third panel gusset
- the second side panel is bounded on a second side panel first edge by the third panel gusset
- the second side panel is bounded on a second side panel second edge by a fourth panel gusset and
- the first partition panel is bounded on a first partition panel second edge by the fourth panel gusset.
13. (canceled)
14. The container system of claim 12 wherein:
- the first panel gusset is divided by a preformed weakness
- the second panel gusset is divided by a preformed weakness
- the third panel gusset is divided by a preformed weakness and
- the fourth panel gusset is divided by a preformed weakness.
15. (canceled)
16. The container system of claim 7 wherein the base panel is substantially rectangular.
17. A container system comprising:
- a container reconfigurable between a container flat configuration and a container structure configuration the container comprising a bottom wall and a side wall selectively movable with respect to the bottom wall (210); and
- a partition insert reconfigurable between a partition flat configuration and at least one partition structure configuration the partition insert comprising a base panel connected to the bottom wall a side panel connected to the side wall and a selectively movable partition panel.
18. The container system of claim 17 wherein:
- the side wall is a first side wall
- the bottom wall is bounded at a bottom wall first edge by the first side wall
- the first side wall is hingedly movable relative to the bottom wall about the bottom wall first edge
- the bottom wall is bounded at a bottom wall second edge by a third side wall
- the third side wall is hingedly movable relative to the bottom wall about the bottom wall second edge
- the bottom wall is bounded at a bottom wall third edge by a second side wall
- the second side wall is hingedly movable relative to the bottom wall about the bottom wall third edge
- the bottom wall is bounded at a bottom wall fourth edge by a fourth side wall and
- the fourth side wall is hingedly movable relative to the bottom wall about the bottom wall fourth edge.
19. (canceled)
20. The container system of claim 18 wherein:
- the first side wall is bounded on a first side wall first edge by a first wall gusset
- the third side wall is bounded on a third side wall first edge by the first wall gusset
- the third side wall is bounded on a third side wall second edge by a second wall gusset
- the second side wall is bounded on a second side wall first edge by the second wall gusset
- the second side wall is bounded on a second side wall second edge by a third wall gusset
- the fourth side wall is bounded on a fourth side wall first edge by the third wall gusset
- the fourth side wall is bounded on a fourth side wall second edge by a fourth wall gusset and
- the first side wall is bounded on a first side wall second edge by the fourth wall gusset.
21. (canceled)
22. The container system of claim 20 wherein
- the first wall gusset is divided by a preformed weakness
- the second wall gusset is divided by a preformed weakness
- the third wall gusset is divided by a preformed weakness and
- the fourth wall gusset is divided by a preformed weakness.
23. The container system of claim 18 wherein, when in the container flat configuration the bottom wall the first side wall the third side wall the second side wall the fourth side wall first wall gusset second wall gusset third wall gusset and fourth wall gusset are substantially coplanar.
24. The container system of claim 18 wherein, when in the container structure configuration the bottom wall first side wall the second side wall the third side wall and the fourth side wall define an internal volume.
25. The container system of claim 18 wherein:
- the first side wall is bounded at a first side wall top edge by a first side wall lid that is hingedly movable relative to the first side wall about the first side wall top edge
- the third side wall is bounded at a third side wall top edge by a third side wall lid that is hingedly movable relative to the third side wall about the third side wall top edge
- the second side wall is bounded at a second side wall top edge by a second side wall lid that is hingedly movable relative to the second side wall about the second side wall top edge and
- the fourth side wall is bounded at a fourth side wall top edge by a fourth side wall lid that is hingedly movable relative to the fourth side wall about the fourth side wall top edge.
26. The container system of claim 25 wherein:
- the first side wall lid further comprises a first side wall lid catch
- the second side wall lid further comprises a second side wall lid catch and
- the second side wall lid catch is adapted to engage the first side wall lid catch.
27-31. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 15, 2021
Publication Date: Sep 16, 2021
Applicant: WestRock Shared Services, LLC (Atlanta, GA)
Inventor: John Valencia (Johns Creek, GA)
Application Number: 17/201,200