One-piece multiple-compartment shipping and display box

• US 6,237,842 B1
• Filed: 04/24/2000
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Adaptec Incorporated (Steel Partners Holdings LP)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Dat K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mai, Tri M.
• Application Number:
  US09/559,209
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• Field of Search: 229/120.32, 229/120.21, 229/167, 229/121, 229/150, 229/168, 229/227, 229/247, 229/151
• US Class Current: 229/120.21
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/2009 all formed by folding extensions of the side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/48018 formed by folding extensions of side panels of a "cross-like" body blank B65D5/4801 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/5021 Integral elements for containers formed by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides

Abstract

A multiple compartment shipping and display box includes a plurality of compartments and is made from a single piece of material. The box includes two channel-beam structures that are used to form two end compartments. A shelf extends between the two-channel-beam structures and defines two more compartments. A box beam extends between the two channel-beam structures, and has a portion of the shelf as one side of the beam. The interior volume of the box beam provides yet another compartment. In addition to defining the various compartments, the channel-beam structures and the box beam provide rigidity and strength to the box. Also, three strips are each glued to a different side wall of the box to provide additional strength and rigidity. All of the components in the box are formed from a single piece of die-cut material.

Claims

1. A one-piece container comprising:

an interior wall having first and second sides, said interior wall being a vertical section of a channel-beam structure;

an exterior end wall separated from and substantially parallel to said interior wall;

a plurality of exterior side walls comprising a first side wall, a second side wall, a bottom, and an upper side wall, said plurality of exterior side walls being substantially perpendicular to said exterior end wall and oriented to define a first storage compartment bounded by interior surfaces of said plurality of exterior side walls, said first side of said interior wall, and an interior surface of said exterior end wall;

a closure flap connected along an edge to said exterior end wall and substantially perpendicular to said exterior end wall, said closure flap being inserted into said first compartment;

a shelf extending from said second surface of said interior wall, and perpendicular to said interior wall, said shelf bounding a top of a second storage compartment and a bottom of a third storage compartment, said shelf being coupled to said channel-beam structure, wherein said first, second, and third storage compartments are formed using only said one-piece; and

a first stabilizer connected to a first edge of said shelf and fixedly attached to said first side wall.

2. The one-piece container of claim 1 further comprising:

another interior wall having first and second sides;

another exterior end wall separated from and substantially parallel to said another interior wall wherein said interior surfaces of said plurality of exterior side walls, said first side of said another interior wall, and an interior surface of said another exterior end wall bound a fourth storage compartment.

3. The one-piece container of claim 2 wherein said another interior wall is a vertical section of another channel-beam structure.

4. The one-piece container of claim 3 wherein said shelf is coupled to said another channel-beam structure.

5. The one-piece container of claim 4 wherein said another interior wall comprises an opening supporting a tab of said shelf.

6. The one-piece container of claim 1 wherein said interior wall comprises an opening supporting a tab of said shelf.

7. A one-piece container comprising:

an interior wall having first and second sides;

an exterior end wall separated from and substantially parallel to said interior wall;

a plurality of exterior side walls comprising a first side wall, a second side wall, a bottom, and an upper side wall, said plurality of exterior side walls being substantially perpendicular to said exterior end wall and oriented to define a first storage compartment bounded by interior surfaces of said plurality of exterior side walls, said first side of said interior wall, and an interior surface of said exterior end wall;

a closure flap connected along an edge to said exterior end wall and substantially perpendicular to said exterior end wall, said closure flap being inserted into said first compartment;

a shelf extending from said second surface of said interior wall, and perpendicular to said interior wall, said shelf bounding a top of a second storage compartment and a bottom of a third storage compartment, wherein said first, second, and third storage compartments are formed using only said one-piece; and

a first side stabilizer strip connected to a first edge of said shelf and fixedly attached to said first side wall.

8. The one-piece container of claim 7 wherein said first side stabilizer strip is glued to said first side wall.

9. The one-piece container of claim 7 further comprising a second side stabilizer strip connected to a second edge of said shelf and fixedly attached to said second side wall.

10. The one-piece container of claim 9 wherein said second side stabilizer strip is glued to said second side wall.