ENHANCED STRENGTH PARTITION ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRAL PAD

Abstract

An enhanced strength partition assembly for using with a reusable palletized shipping box system, containing a plurality of individual compartments, i.e, a crate, formed from mated slotted transverse panels and slotted longitudinal panels. A system of exterior panels surrounding the interlocking panels to form the outside of the partition assembly. Alternatively, an exterior panel with an overlapping section surrounds the interlocking panels, secures to itself, and forms the outside of the partition assembly. Flaps extending from the lower edges of the exterior panels may be folded to form an integral layer pad for separating the partitions formed by the partition assembly from other sections of the palletized shipping box. Portions of the slotted panels are adhered to and extend over a greater area of the exterior panel to provide additional structural support.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional application 62/096,729 filed on Dec. 24, 2014 and is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully recited herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a partition assembly with an integral layer pad for use with reusable palletized shipping systems.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to paperboard containers, and more particularly to enhanced strength partition assemblies for use in reusable palletized shipping systems (also referred to herein as reusable palletized shipping boxes). A typical reusable palletized box comprises a base pallet, an enclosure that is approximately the same outer dimensions as the base pallet, and may include a cover that fits over the enclosure to protect the contents of the enclosure and to prevent foreign material from entering the enclosure during the shipment of the palletized container. Reusable palletized boxes are generally constructed to conform to predetermined external dimensions for efficient shipment, storage, and to allow for standardized handling equipment. Because reusable palletized boxes may be subject to rough handling including rapid deceleration resulting from a forklift operator rapidly lowering the reusable palletized box to the ground, it is desirable that internal partition systems exhibit high levels of structural strength to withstand such rough handling. Existing partition systems are primarily configured for providing internal compartments within the reusable pallet shipping system. The partitions are commonly formed from interlocking sheets. These 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.

The use of perimeter air cells result in a waste of a significant portion of the palletized 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 palletized container. Shifting can cause impact damage or lead to the collapse of partition sections stacked within a reusable palletized box. Known partition assemblies may not provide sufficient vertical strength to withstand rough handling, resulting in damage to the devices transported within the partition sections. In addition, known partition assemblies require a separate layer pad component to provide a separation between multiple partition sections stacked within a reusable palletized box or between partitions and the bottom of the box.

Reusable palletized boxes are generally used to ship components from a supplier to a manufacturer for use in the manufacture of products such as automobiles or appliances. As the palletized boxes are reusable, they are shipped from the manufacturer back to a supplier for reuse. Because palletized boxes have standardized dimensions, they may be used to ship a variety of different components from multiple suppliers to a manufacturer. As a result, palletized containers may be shipped to different suppliers depending upon the needs of the manufacturer. Because components shipped from a supplier may vary in size, shape, and weight, different partition assemblies may be inserted into a palletized box depending upon the components to be shipped. The result is that partition sections and pads must also be shipped from a partition assembly maker to a supplier where they are inserted into reusable palletized boxes, filled with components and shipped to a manufacturer. Known partition assemblies are formed from loose dividers that are fitted together using interlocking slots. Such assemblies are labor intensive as they must be assembled and inserted into a reusable palletized box before use. Because known assemblies are formed from loose dividers, removing the partitions often results in their coming apart. These partitions must be shipped back to a supplier and may be confused with those to be shipped to other suppliers. Therefore, known partition systems are not conducive to reuse. In addition, the pad separator sections, having to cover the openings of a reusable palletized box partition, must be relatively large.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that alternatives to the interlocking divider systems and layer pads used with reusable palletized boxes may result in greater partition stacking strength and resistance to rough handling as well as reduced cost as the result of improvements in the efficiency of return shipping to suppliers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

A partition assembly for use in a reusable palletized box may contain a plurality of individual compartments. The partition assembly may include a series of substantially parallel transverse panels. Each transverse panel having a partitioning section and two folding tab sections, said folding tab sections extend from each side of the partition section, respectively, and share a common side and bottom edge with the partition system. The partition section may have at least one slot extending from the bottom edge of each transverse panel upwardly. Each folding tab section may extend beyond the top edge of the partition section, thereby defining a separate top edge, and be configured to be folded along the side edge shared with the partitioning section. The partition assembly may also include a series of substantially parallel longitudinal panels. Each longitudinal panel also has a partitioning section and two folding tab sections, said folding tab sections each extending from either side of the partitioning section, respectively, and share a common side and bottom edge with the partitioning section. The partitioning sections having at least one slot extending from the top edge of each longitudinal panel downwardly. Each folding tab section may extend beyond the top edge of the partition section, thereby defining a separate top edge, and is configured to be folded along the side edge shared with the partitioning section.

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 (partitions). The number of slots in each of the transverse and longitudinal panels may be varied depending on the number of interior partitions desired. The partition assembly also has at least one exterior panel. Embodiments of the exterior panel have a top edge, a bottom edge, a pair of side edges, and at least one flap that extends from the bottom edge of the exterior panel to form a layer pad. The exterior panels may have a tab and recess at one side edge and a mating tab and recess on the opposite side edge. Other embodiments of the exterior panel may have tabs at one edge and mating recesses corresponding to the tabs on the opposite edge. Still other embodiments of the exterior panels may have one or more tabs on one side edge that overlap a portion of the opposite edge when such an exterior panel is mated with a corresponding exterior panel to form the outer panels of a partition assembly. Each panel may have at least 1 vertical fold line. The exterior panels surround the partition system assembly thereby forming an outside surface of the partition system that fits closely within a reusable palletized box. Each transverse panel folding tab section and each longitudinal panel folding tab section is secured to the exterior panels and the exterior panel ends according to the external panel embodiment employed. When thus secured, the tab sections, which as described previously herein, may extend beyond the top edge of the partition sections. This extended tab portion, being secured to the exterior panels, contributes to the strength of the formed partition system, particularly in regard to compressive forces applied to the top and bottom edges of the exterior panels. As partition assemblies may be stacked within reusable palletized boxes during use, this contributed strength may result in improved performance over partition assemblies without extended tab portions. The at least one flap that extends from the bottom edge of the exterior panel may be folded against the bottom edges of the partition section to form a pad that separates the partitioned section from the bottom of the reusable palletized box or another partition system located below the present partition system in the reusable palletized box. Preferred embodiments may have two such tabs, each covering about one half of the partition bottom. Using these flaps to form the pad section eliminates the need for a separate part when assembling the partition systems into a reusable palletized box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of a known reusable palletized box and lid;

FIG. 2 is a view of a prior art partition system and pad as used with a reusable palletized box;

FIG. 3 is a view of a partition assembly with integral pad according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a longitudinal panel according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a transverse panel according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view of another embodiment of a partition assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in which an integral pad is not visible;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exterior panel according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a partition assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the partition assembly of FIG. 6, in which an integral pad is not visible, starting to be folded into a substantially flat state; and

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the partition assembly of FIG. 9 almost completely folded to a substantially flat state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

The disclosed partition assembly with integral layer pad is useful in shipping component parts in individual compartments located within a reusable palletized box so as to prevent damage to the component parts, for example, by parts bumping against each other during shipment. The disclosed partition assembly with integral pad assembly may be shipped in a relatively flat, folded-down configuration and then unfolded for insertion into a reusable palletized box prior to insertion of component parts. The entire volume of the partition assembly may be used for storing component parts inasmuch as compartments fill the entire interior volume of the partition assembly which forms a layer within a reusable palletized box. The disclosed partition assembly contains folded tabs that provided additional structural strength, which is particularly helpful when stacking partition systems within a reusable palletized box.

FIG. 1 illustrates a reusable palletized box which is well known as a means for shipping parts from suppliers to manufacturers. Shown is a pallet section 102 which serves to position the box section 104 off the floor such that the blades of a forklift are able to access the pallet for lifting. The pallet section 102 of the palletized box may also serve to stiffen the floor of the box section to prevent damage by the forklift blades. The box section 104 may vary depending upon the type of components and manufacturing environment in which it will be used. For example, lighter components may be stacked higher than correspondingly heavier components and as a result, the box section may be vertically taller in such applications. The box section 104 is generally the same horizontal size as the pallet section 102, but in some embodiments may be smaller or larger depending upon the application. Also illustrated is a cover 106 that fits over the top of the box section 104. In some applications a cover may not be used.

FIG. 2 illustrates a known embodiment of a partition formed from individual pieces. As may be observed, the partition consists of upper 202 and lower 204 cross pieces. These pieces comprise a section of slots running from the bottom edge upward in the upper cross pieces 202 and from the upper edge downward in the lower cross pieces 204. These cross pieces are assembled at right angles and placed inside the box section of a palletized box 104. The pallet 102 is not illustrated in this embodiment but one skilled in the art will recognized that the pallet is generally affixed to the lower portion of the box 104. As is illustrated, the ends of the upper cross pieces 202a, as well as the ends of the lower cross pieces 204a, protrude beyond the last cross piece to form a space between the partition and the palletized box 104. This partition is set atop a layer pad 206 and installed in a palletized box 104.

A partition assembly according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. As will be described in more detail herein, the partition assembly is comprised of at least one outer panel 302 and a plurality of transverse panels 304 and longitudinal panels 306. As is illustrated, the outer panel 302 may comprise one or more flaps 308 that fold upwardly against the lower edges of the transverse 304 and longitudinal 306 panels to form a layer pad. The partition assembly may be sized to fit closely within a palletized box 104. When inserted into the palletized box 104, the partition assembly performs the function of the partition as illustrated in the prior art example of FIG. 2 but has several advantages over prior art partitions including, but not limited to, greater strength, ease of insertion/removal, more efficient use of the space within the palletized box 104, and less costly shipping and storage costs resulting from embodiments of the invention which are capable of being folded substantially flat when not in use.

As is illustrated in FIG. 3, embodiments of the invention utilize one or more transverse panels to partially form a partition assembly 300. An embodiment of such a transverse panel 304 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Transverse panels may each have a partitioning section 402 and a pair of folded tab sections 404 and 406 located at opposite sides of the partitioning section 402. The partitioning section 402 further comprises one or more slots, illustrated as 18a-18i, extending from the bottom of panel 402 upwardly to about the midpoint of the height thereof. Depending upon the application and the number of partitions desired, the number of slots may be lesser or greater than illustrated. Fold lines, 408 and 410, run along the edge shared by the partitioning section 402 and the folded tab sections 404 and 406, from top to bottom of the partitioning section 402 forming the side edges of folded tabs, 404 and 406.

As was illustrated in FIG. 3, embodiments of the invention may utilize one or more longitudinal panels to form the remainder of the partition assembly. FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a longitudinal panel 306. As is shown, the embodiment of a longitudinal panel comprises a partitioning section 502 and folding tab sections 504 and 506 extending from opposite sides of the partitioning section 502. The partitioning section 502 further comprises one or more downwardly projecting slots, 26a-26b, extending from the top edge of partitioning section 502 to about its midpoint. Fold lines, 508 and 510, run along the edge shared by the partitioning section 502 and the folded tab sections 504 and 506, from top to bottom of the partitioning section 502 forming the side edges of folded tabs, 504 and 506. The number of slots 18a-18i and 26a-26b may be in greater or fewer number than that illustrated in the figures. Importantly, slots 18a-18i and 26a-26b are configured to cooperate for mutual insertion when panel slots 18a-18i and 26a-26b are placed at substantially right angles to each other to form the individual compartments illustrated in FIG. 3 for the partition assembly 300. The number of individual compartments for each partition assembly also is a matter of choice and can be fewer or greater than that shown in the figures.

As is illustrated in FIG. 6, a plurality of panels 304 and 306 may be seen in position forming individual compartments. Surrounding the plurality of panels and forming the outside of the illustrated partition assembly is at least one exterior panel, typified by panel 700 as illustrated in FIG. 7. As is shown, panel 700 has a flap 702 which overlaps and may be secured to an end of an external panel to form an enclosure surrounding the plurality of panels 304 and 306 that form the compartment section of the partition assembly. Referring again to FIG. 6, other embodiments may utilize tabs and recesses to align the exterior panel ends as illustrated at 602 and 604. The illustrated embodiment of exterior panel 700 also has fold lines, 36a, 36b, and 36c, running from top to bottom of the panel, the distance therebetween determining the lateral dimensions of each partition assembly. Embodiments of the invention may also have a flap 308, extending from the lower edge of one or more side panel, with fold lines 704 between the lower edge of the side panel and the flap 308. Depending on the number of compartments desired, a plurality of exterior panels 700 may be required to form the outside of the partition assembly. In such embodiments, the number of fold lines 704 and flaps 308 for each panel 700 will be adjusted accordingly. For example, in an embodiment using four panels to form a partition assembly, each panel may be formed with a single fold line. Embodiments that are elongated rather than predominantly square may utilize a single flap 308 rather than the two flaps illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7. Such embodiments may be useful when a palletized box 104 is desired to be configured with a plurality of different sizes of partition assemblies in a single layer. An example of such an embodiment may be a palletized box intended to be used to transport more than one component type from a supplier to a manufacturer. In such a use, one component may be larger or exhibit dimensions that requires a different shaped partition than another component.

In embodiments of the invention, each longitudinal 304 and transverse 306 panel may have the folded tab sections 404, 406, 504, and 506 therein folded to be adhered to exterior panel 700 by adhesive, tape, or other securing mechanism. As is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, in an embodiment of the invention, the folded tabs 404, 406, 504, and 506 may be configured to extend along substantially the entire portion of the exterior panel 700 that forms a wall of a partition 606 formed by a first longitudinal panel and a second longitudinal panel or a wall of a partition 608 formed by a first transverse panel and a second transverse panel. In addition, folded tabs 404, 406, 504, and 506 may extend along that portion of an exterior panel 700 forming a wall of a partition between an exterior panel and a longitudinal panel or a transverse panel. When secured by adhesive, tape, or other securing mechanism, these tabs may serve to add strength to the partition assembly 300.

In addition to configuring the folded tab sections to occupy substantially all of the exterior panel sections of certain partitions, embodiments of the invention may be configured such that the tab sections 404, 406, 504, and 506 extend above the top edge of the longitudinal and transverse partition sections 402 and 502. Such an embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein tabs 504 and 406 are shown to extend above the partitions to approximately the top of the exterior panel 700. These extensions serve to add rigidity and strength to the exterior panels 700 that extend above the partitions. Depending upon the intended application, the height of the side panels relative to the longitudinal and transverse panels used to form the partitions may vary to allow the exterior panels 700 to extend above or below the partition portion of the assembly. For example, in one embodiment, the exterior panels may be arranged such that their upper and lower edges align with the upper and lower edges in the longitudinal and transverse panels used to form the partition portion of the partition assembly. In another example embodiment, the exterior panels 700 may extend above the partition portion as is illustrated in FIG. 6. Such embodiments may allow a part contained in a partition to be more easily accessible to a worker or machine attempting to remove a part from the partition assembly for installation or use. Certain embodiments of the invention may configure the partition portions of the longitudinal and transverse panels to have cutout sections along their upper edge. These cutout sections may serve to allow a worker or machine to more easily access a part located within a partition.

Test results show superior performance of the present invention when compared to prior art designs. In one test a partitioned container made in accordance with the present invention having substantially full coverage of the tabs 404, 406, 504, and 506 (see, for example, the assembly illustrated in FIG. 6) did not collapse until 1337.3 pounds were applied to the top of the container. The similar testing performed on another container of the same design and same size did not collapse until 1454.9 pounds were applied. The same test performed on a prior art container, which was not configured to have full coverage of the folds but rather had only about half coverage of the folds, collapsed at just 479.9 pounds applied. Improvements in the strength of the partition assembly may permit such partition assemblies to be stacked in layers within a reusable palletized box to reduce shipping costs and reduce shipping damage when compared to known methods of partitioning reusable palletized boxes.

The disclosed partition assemblies are configured such that they may be folded substantially flat for shipment. For example, from the place of manufacture of a partition assembly to a location where the partition assembly is inserted into a reusable palletized box and filled with component parts for storage or shipment. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a partition assembly 300 may be folded, as seen in FIG. 9. Such folding may be continued until the partition assembly is substantially flat, as seen in FIG. 10. This flattened configuration may reduce cost as a result of requiring less space while being transported in an empty state to the point at which the assembly is unfolded and placed within a reusable palletized box for use. In addition, as was described above, palletized boxes are frequently used to transport a plurality of parts from different suppliers and, as such, may be shipped to a different parts supplier depending upon the needs of the manufacturer using the palletized box. In such a situation, a partition assembly may be removed from the palletized box at the manufacturer and folded flat for storage and shipment back to the parts supplier from which it originally came. Being able to easily remove the partition assembly and store or ship it in a minimal amount of space may reduce the costs associated with the reuse of the partition assembly. These reduced costs may result in greater reuse, resulting in less waste and increased cost savings when compared to known palletized box partitions.

Materials of construction for forming the partition assemblies may be a 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 also be suitable. It will be appreciated that the wall construction thereof, i.e., single-ply, double-ply, or higher, may be varied depending upon the intended application. The partition assemblies have been described herein with reference to the use of corrugated paperboard; however, such description is illustrative and should not be considered a limitation on the present disclosure.

While the partition assemblies 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 a partition assembly not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. All citations referred herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A partition assembly for use in a reusable palletized shipping box containing a plurality of individual compartments comprising:

(a) a subassembly comprising: (i) at least one substantially parallel transverse panel, each transverse panel further comprising a partitioning section; a pair of folded tab sections extending from each side of the partitioning section; a pair of fold lines each located on a side edge shared by the partitioning section and the folded tab sections, said fold lines running the length of the shared edge; the partitioning section further comprising a series of slots extending upwardly from the bottom edge of the partitioning section to about the midpoint of the height thereof; (ii) at least one substantially parallel longitudinal panel, each longitudinal panel further comprising a partitioning section; a pair of folded tab sections extending from each side of the partitioning section; a pair of fold lines each located on a side edge shared by the partitioning section and the folded tab sections, said fold lines running the length of the shared edge; the partitioning section further comprising a series of slots extending downwardly from the top edge of the partitioning section to about the midpoint of the height thereof; said transverse panel and said longitudinal panel being perpendicularly disposed with said transverse panel slots being placed within said longitudinal panel slots to create a series of individual compartments; and

(b) at least one exterior panel, each exterior panel being defined by a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges; the exterior panel having at least 1 vertical fold line; wherein said folded tab sections of the transverse panel and the longitudinal panel are configured to extend vertically substantially the distance from the bottom edge of the exterior panel to the top edge of the exterior panel; and wherein said folded tab sections of the transverse panel and the longitudinal panel are configured to extend horizontally along the exterior panel substantially the distance formed by a said individual compartment; said exterior panel also comprising at least one flap extending downwardly from a bottom edge of said exterior panel, further defined by fold lines extending horizontally along the edge shared between the exterior panel and the bottom panel, where the combined area of all flaps is at least equal to the area formed by the lower surface of said subassembly.

2. The partition assembly of claim 1, wherein said exterior panels comprise at least one tab and at least one recess at one side edge and corresponding mating tabs and recesses on the opposite side edge; said exterior panel tabs and recesses being mated.

3. The partition assembly of claim 2, wherein said mated panel tabs and recesses of said exterior panels are adhesively joined to a transverse panel fold tab.

4. The partition assembly of claim 1, where said exterior panel(s) are configured to surround said subassembly to form the outside surface of said assembly.

5. The partition assembly of claim 1, where each folded tab section of each transverse panel and each longitudinal panel is adhesively joined to said exterior panel.

6. The partition assembly of claim 1, formed from corrugated stock.

7. The partition assembly of claim 1, wherein such transverse and longitudinal panels are arranged to enable the assembly to be folded substantially flat.

8. The partition assembly of claim 1, wherein said exterior panels comprise at least one flap at one side edge, said flap overlaps a portion of an adjacent side edge and is secured to said adjacent side edge.

9. A partition assembly for use in a reusable palletized shipping box containing a plurality of individual compartments comprising:

(a) a series of substantially parallel transverse panels, each transverse panel further comprising a partitioning section; a pair of folded tab sections extending from each side of the partitioning section; a pair of fold lines each located on a side edge shared by the partitioning section and the folded tab sections, said fold lines running the length of the shared edge; the partitioning section further comprising a series of slots running upwardly from the bottom edge of the partitioning section to about the midpoint of the height thereof;

(b) a series of substantially parallel longitudinal panels, each longitudinal panel further comprising a partitioning section; a pair of folded tab sections extending from each side of the partitioning section; a pair of fold lines each located on a side edge shared by the partitioning section and the folded tab sections, said fold lines running the length of the shared edge; the partitioning section further comprising a series of slots running downwardly from the top edge of the partitioning section to about the midpoint of the height thereof; 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 series of individual compartments; and

(c) an exterior panel comprising at least four exterior panel sections defined by fold lines extending vertically along the exterior panels; two lower flaps each extending downwardly from a bottom edge of the adjoining exterior panel section, further defined by a fold line extending horizontally along the edge shared between the adjoining exterior section and bottom panel; where the lower flaps, when folded upwardly to contact the lower surfaces of said partitions, substantially cover the openings of all said partitions; an overlapping panel extending from, and in line with, the final exterior panel section, defined by a fold line extending vertically along the side edge shared between the overlapping panel and the adjoining exterior panel section; wherein said folded tab sections of the transverse panel are configured to extend vertically substantially the distance from the bottom edge of the exterior panel to the top edge of the exterior panel; and wherein said folded tab sections of the transverse panels are configured to extend horizontally along the exterior panel substantially the distance formed by a said individual compartment.

10. The partition assembly of claim 9, wherein said adjoining exterior panels from which said lower flap extend are located on opposite faces of the partition assembly such that when said flaps are folded upwardly to contact the lower surfaces of said partitions, the lower edges of said lower flaps are substantially parallel with each other.

11. The partition assembly of claim 10, wherein said lower flaps in combination, when folded upwardly to contact said lower surfaces of said partitions, cover substantially the entire said lower surface of said partitions.

12. The partition assembly of claim 9, additionally comprising at least one upper panel, extending upwardly from an upper edge of an adjoining exterior panel section, further defined by a fold line extending horizontally along the edge shared between the adjoining exterior panel section and the upper section.

13. The partition assembly of claim 9, wherein said panel tabs are adhesively joined to an exterior panel.

14. The partition assembly of claim 9, wherein the overlapping panel is configured to overlap and be secured to the exterior panel.

15. The partition assembly of claim 9, wherein such transverse and longitudinal panels are arranged to enable the assembly to be folded substantially flat.

16. The partition assembly of claim 9, formed from corrugated stock.

17. A partition assembly for use in a reusable palletized shipping box containing a plurality of individual compartments comprising:

(a) a subassembly comprising: (i) at least one substantially parallel transverse panel formed from corrugated stock, each transverse panel further comprising a partitioning section; a pair of folded tab sections extending from each side of the partitioning section; a pair of fold lines each located on a side edge shared by the partitioning section and the folded tab sections, said fold lines running the length of the shared edge; the partitioning section further comprising a series of slots extending upwardly from the bottom edge of the partitioning section to about the midpoint of the height thereof; (ii) at least one substantially parallel longitudinal panel formed from corrugated stock, each longitudinal panel further comprising a partitioning section; a pair of folded tab sections extending from each side of the partitioning section; a pair of fold lines each located on a side edge shared by the partitioning section and the folded tab sections, said fold lines running the length of the shared edge; the partitioning section further comprising a series of slots extending downwardly from the top edge of the partitioning section to about the midpoint of the height thereof; 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 series of individual compartments; and

(b) one exterior panel formed from corrugated stock and configured to surround said subassembly, said exterior panel being defined by a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges; the exterior panel having at least 3 vertical fold lines forming four exterior panel sections; an overlapping panel extending from, and in line with, the final exterior panel section defined by a fold line extending vertically along the edge shared between the overlapping panel and the adjoining exterior panel section; wherein said overlapping panel is configured to overlap and be secured to an adjacent section of the exterior panel; wherein said exterior panel further comprising two lower flaps each extending downwardly from a bottom edge of the adjoining exterior panel section, further defined by a fold line extending horizontally along the edge shared between the adjoining exterior panel section and bottom panel; where the lower flaps, when folded upwardly to contact the lower surfaces of said partitions, substantially cover the openings of all said partitions; wherein said folded tab sections of the transverse panel and the longitudinal panel are configured to extend vertically substantially the distance from the bottom edge of the exterior panel to the top edge of the exterior panel; wherein said folded tab sections of the transverse panel and the longitudinal panel are configured to extend horizontally along the exterior panel substantially the distance formed by a said individual compartment; wherein said folded tab sections are adhesively joined to at least one of said exterior panels; and wherein said transverse and longitudinal panels are arranged to enable said assembly to be folded substantially flat.