Inventor: D. Rudolph Youell

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of United States Application Serial Number 17/208,650, filed on March 22, 2021 , the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if fully recited herein. This application further claims the benefit of United States Application Serial Number 17/459,690, filed on August 27, 2021 , the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if fully recited herein.

Technical Field

[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a partitioned container for use with storage or transportation of various objects.

Background and Summary

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to containers, and more particularly to divided containers for use with object storage or shipping, such as for use in palletized shipping systems. Traditional divider systems are primarily configured for providing internal dividers within the box containing 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.

[0004] The use of perimeter cells results in a waste of a significant portion of the box container volume, and adds 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 divider sections or box containers. Furthermore, the traditional divided container having exterior panels surmounting the interior divided cells cannot be folded about fold lines to a substantially flat state.

[0005] Certain issues with traditional divider systems have been previously addressed by introducing a crate formed from mated slotted transverse panels and slotted longitudinal panels, where said transverse panels and longitudinal panels (collectively or independently “interior panels”) are surmounted by exterior panels, as disclosed in U.S. Patent 9,096,349 B2 (the “349” patent) and other related patent applications. In the prior devices according to the ‘349 patent and other related patent applications (disclosed technology referred to herein as “prior assemblies”), folding tab sections of the transverse and longitudinal panels may be “facially affixed” to the exterior panels (the folding tab section extends horizontally along a portion of an exterior panel for substantially the distance from a fold line of the folding tab section to a side edge of the folding tab section opposite of the fold line, and the folding tab section is substantially affixed to the exterior panel for the distance thereof by adhesive or the like, thus eliminating perimeter cells. Additionally, fold lines of the interior and exterior panels permit the assembly to be folded into a substantially flat state.

[0006] However, because the folding tab sections of the prior assemblies may be facially affixed to the exterior panel(s), the interior panels must be sufficiently spaced apart to permit the folding tab sections to be facially affixed to an adjacent portion of the exterior panel(s). In the manufacturing process, it is difficult to facially affix narrower folding tab sections, such as folding tab sections less than 1 inch wide from side edge to fold line, to their respective exterior panel(s). Thus, it is not desirable to reduce the width of folding tab sections to reduce spacing between interior panels. Therefore, cell size may be limited to a large minimum volume in the prior assemblies. This may be an issue for the storage or transportation of smaller objects, which may suffer impact damage as they collide with one another if not sufficiently cushioned and isolated from one another by paperboard or other material defining the perimeter of a divider cell. [0007] In addition, the ‘349 patent and other related patent applications may teach folding tab sections of substantially the same height (where height is defined as distance from the top edge to the bottom edge of the panel) or greater height than the rest of the interior panel. Also, with the prior assemblies, all or a substantial portion of interior panels may necessarily include folding tab sections. There may be certain issues with having folding tab sections of substantially the same height or greater height than the rest of the interior panel, and with having all or a substantial portion of interior panels necessarily including folding tab sections. One issue is that more material, labor and energy may be required to manufacture the folding tab sections, thus the overall monetary, labor and environmental costs of manufacturing the container may be higher. In addition, the higher amount of interior panel material may increase the weight of the container. Furthermore, the prior assemblies, when folded into a substantially flat state, may define a larger amount of space, since a higher volume of interior panel material may be positioned within the exterior panels.

[0008] The prior assemblies may further teach longitudinal panels having slots extending from a midpoint to one of a top or bottom edge of each longitudinal panel, and transverse panels having slots extending from a midpoint to the other of a top or bottom edge of each transverse panel for interlocking of the transverse panels with the longitudinal panels. An issue with the aforementioned configuration is that the crate formed from mated slotted transverse panels and slotted longitudinal panels may only be secured within the exterior panels by the introduction of a substantial amount of adhesive, including by way of example and not limitation, glue, staples, tape or the like, to interior panel folding tab sections to connect each interior panel to the exterior panel(s). For example, with the prior assemblies, adhesive may be applied to substantially all of the surface of each folding tab section facing the exterior panel(s) to facially affix the folding tab section thereto. Thus, more material, labor and energy may be required to secure the crate within the exterior panel(s), thus the overall monetary, labor and environmental costs of manufacturing may be higher. In addition, the higher amount of adhesive material or the like may increase the weight of the container. [0009] In view of the foregoing, alternatives to traditional interlocking divider systems known in the art and to the prior assemblies are needed to improve efficiency in the shipping and manufacturing industries.

[0010] It is an exemplary objective of the present invention to provide a partitioned container comprising a plurality of individual compartments or cells formed by the interlocking of a first series of substantially parallel interior panels with a second series of substantially parallel interior panels. The present invention requires less material than traditional systems for manufacturing a specific sized container because the wasted space of perimeter cells is eliminated. Additionally, the foldability of the present design minimizes the amount of storage space needed for storing the exemplary container because the container, when folded, is in a substantially flat state.

[0011] It is another exemplary objective of the present invention to provide a spatially advantageous, cost-effective alternative to the prior assemblies. In exemplary embodiments, the individual cells are not limited to a large minimum volume by spacing requirements for affixing at least two transverse panel folding tab sections of each interior panel to exterior panel walls. In certain exemplary embodiments, panel tabs comprise non-right-angle corners, such as to facilitate rotation of interior panels. Some embodiments also include a crate self-locking mechanism.

[0012] One embodiment of an exemplary partitioned container includes a series of substantially parallel transverse panels defining a portion of the interior panels. Each transverse panel may include a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges.

Each transverse panel may further include a partitioning section and one folding tab section, wherein the folding tab section extends from only one side of the partitioning section. The aforementioned embodiment may further include a series of substantially parallel longitudinal panels defining a portion of the interior panels. Each longitudinal panel may include a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. Each longitudinal panel may further include a partitioning section and two folding tab sections, where the folding tab sections extend from each side of the partitioning section. In other exemplary embodiments, each of the longitudinal panels may comprise only one folding tab section and each of the transverse panels may comprise two folding tab sections. In still other embodiments, each of both the longitudinal panels and the transverse panels may comprise only one folding tab section. In yet other exemplary embodiments, some, but not all, of the interior panels may comprise only one folding tab section.

[0013] The longitudinal panels may be substantially perpendicularly disposed with the transverse panels, where transverse panel slots may be placed within longitudinal panel slots to create a crate of individual compartments. The number of slots in each of the transverse and longitudinal panels may be varied depending on the number of interior partitions or individual compartments desired.

[0014] In certain exemplary embodiments, where only one folding tab section on any given one of the longitudinal panels and/or the transverse panels is provided, the longitudinal panels and/or the transverse panels may be provided in an alternating arrangement within the container such that the folding tab sections are located alternately on each side of a given one of the longitudinal panels and/or the transverse panels. In such embodiments, the folding tab section may be configured to extend through a gap between a free edge of an adjacent longitudinal panel and/or transverse panel and an exterior panel, such that the folding tab section extends substantially across two individual compartments of the partitioned container. This particular embodiment provides for the spacing requirements of exemplary interior panels to be smaller than that of the spacing requirements of prior assembly interior panels, since the free edge of an exemplary interior panel may be placed any number of distances from an adjacent interior panel without placement being restricted by the presence of a folding tab section. Thus, individual cells may not be limited to a large minimum volume by the spacing requirements for facially affixing multiple interior panel folding tab sections. Therefore, smaller objects may be sufficiently cushioned and isolated from one another by paperboard or other material defining the perimeter of a divider cell, preventing impact damage from object collisions occurring during the shipping or transportation of said objects. [0015] In addition, having certain exemplary interior panels including only one folding tab section on only one side of the partitioning section may permit the folding tab section to be enlarged relative to the divider cell. This may result in easier application of adhesive, for example, to the folding tab section for application to the exterior panel.

This may likewise improve access and suitable surface area for the use of any other type of joining technique as an alternative to, or in addition to, adhesive, such as but not limited to staples, tape, combinations thereof, or the like. This may also simplify manufacturing, assembly, and/or breakdown of the container.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment, a plurality of interior panels comprise a partitioning section without any folding tab sections connected thereto. An advantage of not having any folding tab sections connected to the partitioning section of the interior panel is that the interior panel may be positioned any number of distances from adjacent interior panels without positioning being restricted by a requirement to facially affix a folding tab section to at least one exterior panel. For example, by way of illustration and not limitation, two parallel transverse panels, each not including any folding tab sections, may be placed in close proximity to one another to reduce cell size to provide for storage or transportation of smaller objects, where reduced cell size may prevent impact damage by sufficiently cushioning and isolating the smaller objects from one another, such as by paperboard or other material defining the perimeter of the cell. Another advantage of having one or less folding tab sections connected to the partitioning section of the interior panel is that less material, labor and energy may be required to manufacture the folding tab sections, thus the overall costs, including but not necessarily limited to monetary, labor and environmental costs of manufacturing the container may be lower than that of prior assemblies. Yet another advantage of having one or less folding tab sections connected to the partitioning section of each interior panel is that a smaller volume of interior panel material may be occupied between the one or more exterior panels, thus, for example, when an exemplary container is folded into a substantially flat state, the volume of space occupied by the container may be smaller. Still another advantage of having one or less folding tab sections connected to the partitioning section of each interior panel is that the weight of the container may be reduced by having less folding tab section material therein.

[0017] In certain exemplary embodiments, each folding tab section is of a smaller height than the partitioning section linked thereto. An advantage of having each folding tab section being of smaller height than the partitioning section linked thereto is that less material, labor and energy may be required to manufacture the folding tab sections, thus the overall costs, including but not necessarily limited to monetary, labor and environmental costs of manufacturing may be reduced with respect to prior assemblies. Yet another advantage of each folding tab section being of a smaller height than the partitioning section linked thereto is that a smaller volume of interior panel material may be occupied between the one or more exterior panels, thus, for example, when an exemplary container is folded into a substantially flat state, the volume of space occupied by the container may be smaller. Yet another advantage of each folding tab section being of a smaller height than the partitioning section linked thereto is that one or more handles, each handle defined by an open gap in the one or more exterior panels, may be placed on a portion of the one or more exterior panels above or below a folding tab section. Still another advantage of each folding tab section being of a smaller height than the partitioning section linked thereto is that the weight of the container may be reduced by having less folding tab section material therein.

[0018] In exemplary embodiments, a first series of substantially parallel interior panels includes two outer panels having a first slot configuration, and a plurality of inner panels having a second slot configuration, wherein the plurality of inner panels are positioned between the two outer panels. In addition, in exemplary embodiments, a second series of substantially parallel interior panels includes two outer panels having a first slot configuration, and a plurality of inner panels having a second slot configuration, wherein the plurality of inner panels are positioned between the two outer panels, and wherein the second series of substantially parallel interior panels intersects the first series of substantially parallel interior panels. Each interior panel may be necessarily contained within one or more exterior panels by the interlocking of the interior panel with other interior panels configured to receive the interior panel at both of at least one slot beginning at a top edge of the interior panel, and at least one slot beginning at a bottom edge of the interior panel. Exemplary slot configurations of the interior panels cause respective mated panels to be vertically and horizontally secured to one another (“self locking mechanism”) while also having the ability to be rotated with respect to one another. Thus, the need to have the surface of at least one folding tab section of each interior panel facing the exterior panel(s) facially affixed thereto by large amounts of adhesive or the like to prevent the interior panels from sliding or falling out of the crate within the exterior panel(s) has been reduced or eliminated. Thus, less material, labor and energy may be required to secure the crate within the exterior panel(s), thus the overall costs, including but not necessarily limited to monetary, labor and environmental costs of manufacturing may be reduced with respect to prior assemblies. Another advantage of an exemplary self-locking mechanism is that the weight of the container may be reduced by having less adhesive material therein.

[0019] According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the partitioned container may include one or more exterior panels in addition to transverse and longitudinal panels. The partitioning section of the transverse panel may have at least one slot extending upwardly from the bottom edge of the transverse panel, and at least one slot extending downwardly from the top edge of the transverse panel. The one or more slots may be wider near the edge to improve the rotatability of the transverse panel with respect to a longitudinal panel, and/or to reduce the overall weight of the transverse panel. The transverse panels adjacent to substantially parallel exterior panel walls (“outer transverse panels”) may comprise a first slot configuration, and transverse panels positioned between the outer transverse panels (“inner transverse panels”) may comprise a second slot configuration, wherein the second slot configuration may substantially resemble a 180-degree vertical rotation of the first slot configuration.

[0020] Each longitudinal panel may include a partitioning section and two folding tab sections, wherein the folding tab sections may extend from each side of the partitioning section, and wherein the folding tab sections may each extend only a fraction of the height of the partitioning section. The partitioning section of each longitudinal panel may have at least one slot extending downwardly from the top edge of the longitudinal panel, and at least one slot extending upwardly from the bottom edge of the longitudinal panel. Each slot may be wider near the edge to improve the rotatability of the longitudinal panel with respect to the transverse panel, and/or to reduce the overall weight of the longitudinal panel. The longitudinal panels adjacent to substantially parallel exterior panel walls (“outer longitudinal panels”) may comprise a first slot configuration, and longitudinal panels positioned between the outer longitudinal panels (“inner longitudinal panels”) may comprise a second slot configuration, wherein the second slot configuration may substantially resemble a 180-degree vertical rotation of the first slot configuration. The longitudinal panels may be substantially perpendicularly disposed with the transverse panels, where transverse panel slots may be placed within longitudinal panel slots to create a crate of individual compartments or cells. The crate and each interior panel member thereof may be vertically and horizontally bound within the one or more exterior panels based on the self-locking mechanism of the interior panels, wherein the self-locking mechanism does not restrict the ability of interior panels to be rotated with respect to one another and the one or more exterior panels.

[0021] Each of the at least one exterior panel may have a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. The at least one exterior panel may have a plurality of vertical fold lines. In some embodiments, the at least one exterior panel may have tabs at one edge and mating recesses corresponding to the tabs on the opposite edge. In other embodiments, the at least one exterior panel 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. The at least one exterior panel may surmount the crate for forming an outside of the partitioned container. Each longitudinal panel folding tab section may be joined to the exterior panel(s). The resulting partitioned container may be folded about the various fold lines of the exterior and interior panels such as to a substantially flat state. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] In addition to the features and advantages mentioned above, other features and advantages disclosed herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments when read in conjunction with the attached drawings, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary partitioned container;

FIG. 2A is a plan view of a longitudinal panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2B is a plan view of a longitudinal panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a plan view of a transverse panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a plan view of a transverse panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

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

FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary partitioned container;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the exemplary partitioned container of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the partitioned container of FIG. 1 starting to be folded into a substantially flat state;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another exemplary partitioned container;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an outer longitudinal panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; FIG. 10 is a plan view of an inner longitudinal panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an outer transverse panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; FIG. 12 is a plan view of an inner transverse panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the exemplary partitioned container of the FIG. 8 embodiment; FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the partitioned container of the FIG. 8 embodiment; and

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the partitioned container of the FIG. 8 embodiment, wherein the partitioned container is being flattened towards a substantially flat state.

Detailed Description

[0023] The disclosed partitioned container is useful in shipping various objects, for example individual component parts for automobiles, in individual compartments so as to prevent damage to the various objects or component parts, for example by parts bumping against each other during shipment. The disclosed partitioned container may be shipped or stored in a relatively flat, folded down configuration and then unfolded for insertion of various objects or component parts. The entire volume of the partitioned container may be used for storing objects or component parts inasmuch as individual compartments fill the entire interior volume of the partitioned container. The disclosed partitioned container assembly may contain a plurality of fold lines and folding tab sections that permit folding of the assembly. Excluding folding tab sections from certain interior panels may permit certain parallel panels to be placed in close proximity to one another to define small compartments protecting small component parts or objects from colliding with one another. Excluding folding tab sections from certain interior panels, and reducing folding tab section height with respect to the connected partitioning section may decrease manufacturing costs and container weight. Alternating slot placement on interior panels may provide for a self-locking mechanism thereof.

[0024] Referring initially to FIG. 1 , an exemplary partitioned container 10 is shown.

The partitioned container 10 comprises a plurality of individual cells or compartments 13 for stuffing with the same or different objects or component parts (not shown) for storage or shipment. The partitioned container 10 may be useful for shipping small automobile parts, although such use is not required. Such number of individual compartments 13 is by way of illustration and not limitation.

[0025] The partitioned container 10 may further comprise one or more longitudinal panels 16 having a plurality of panel tabs 18. The partitioned container 10 may additionally comprise one or more transverse panels 20 having a partitioning section 22. The transverse panels 20 and longitudinal panels 16 may interlock to define the perimeter of compartments 13, as described below. The transverse panels 20 and longitudinal panels 16 may be surmounted by one or more exterior panels 11 having walls 14 and exterior panel folding tab sections 12. The exterior panel folding tab sections 12 may be rotated about fold lines 15, and interlocked thereafter to define a roof of the partitioned container 10, such as for purposes of storing or shipping objects. In other embodiments, the roof of the partitioned container 10 may be a detachable lid.

In certain embodiments, the base 24 of the partitioned container 10 may comprise a floor. In other embodiments, the base 24 of the partitioned container 10 may comprise one or more additional exterior panel folding tab sections. In yet other embodiments, the base 24 of the partitioned container 10 may comprise a pallet surface. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various surfaces and/or materials may be used to define the roof and/or base of an exemplary partitioned container.

[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 1 - 3B, a series of longitudinal panels, indicated generally at 26 (FIG. 2A) and 16 (FIGS. 1 and 2B), may be mated with a series of transverse panels, indicated generally at 44 (FIG. 3A) and 20 (FIGS. 1 and 3B), to form a crate of exemplary individual compartments 13 in the interior of the partitioned container 10. More specifically, in the embodiments shown, a series of transverse panel slots, such as indicated at 47 (FIG. 3A) and 55 (FIG. 3B), may be configured to cooperate for mutual insertion with a series of longitudinal panel slots, such as indicated at 29 (FIG. 2A) and 41 (FIG. 2B), when the slots are placed at substantially right angles to each other to form a crate of exemplary individual compartments 13 in the interior of the partitioned container 10.

[0027] Referring specifically to FIG. 2A, an exemplary longitudinal panel 26 may include a partitioning section 34, and a pair of folding tab sections 30A-B which may be folded about fold lines 32A-B. The folding tab sections 30A-B may be located at opposite sides of the partitioning section 34. The fold lines 32A-B may run along the edge shared by the partitioning section 34 and the folding tab sections 30A-B, from top to bottom of the partitioning section 34, forming inner side edges of the folding tab sections 30A-B, respectively. The partitioning section 34 may further comprise a series of slots 29 separating panel tabs 28A-L. The slots 29 may extend downwardly from the top edge of the panel 26 to about a midpoint of the height thereof.

[0028] In another exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2B shows a longitudinal panel 16 having a partitioning section 36 and folding tab sections 40A-B which may be folded about fold lines 38A-B. The partitioning section 36 may comprise a series of slots 41 between panel tabs 18A-T, where the slots 41 extend downwardly from the top edge of the panel 16 to about a midpoint of the height thereof. Each panel tab 18A-T may comprise non-right-angle corners along a top edge, such that, for example, each slot 41 may comprise a narrow gap 42 and wide gap 43. Referring back to FIG. 1 in addition to FIG. 2B, the narrow gaps 42 may function to receive and secure the partitioning section 22 of transverse panels 20, and the wide gaps 43 may facilitate the rotation of the transverse panels 20 with respect to the longitudinal panels 16 by reducing friction between the panels 20, 16 by reducing the contact area between the partitioning section 22 of the transverse panel 20 and each panel tab 18a-t of the partitioning section 36 of the longitudinal panel 16. Additionally, this particular configuration may reduce the overall weight of each longitudinal panel 16 by reducing the relative surface area of each panel tab 18A-T with respect to empty space defined by each slot 41. In certain exemplary embodiments, the partitioning section 36 of the longitudinal panel 16 may be approximately 22.5 inches wide from fold line 38A to fold line 38B. Additionally, each exemplary folding tab section 40A-B may be approximately 2 inches wide from outer side edge to fold line 38A-B. Furthermore, the exemplary longitudinal panel 16 may be approximately 5 inches tall from top edge to bottom edge, and each panel tab 18A-T may be approximately 2.5 inches tall from top edge to a bottom of the slot 41.

[0029] Referring now specifically to FIG. 3A, an exemplary transverse panel 44 may include a partitioning section 46 and a folding tab section 48 which may be folded about a fold line 50. The folding tab section 48 may extend from one side of the partitioning section 46. The fold line 50 may run along the edge shared by the partitioning section 46 and the folding tab section 48, from top to bottom of the partitioning section 46, forming an inner side edge of the folding tab section 48. The partitioning section 46 may further comprise a series of slots 47 separating panel tabs 52A-D. The slots 47 may extend upwardly from a bottom edge of the panel 44 to about a midpoint of the height thereof.

[0030] FIG. 3B shows another exemplary transverse panel 20 having a partitioning section 22 and a folding tab section 58 which may be folded about a fold line 56. The partitioning section 22 may comprise a series of slots 55 between panel tabs 54A-E, where the slots 55 extend upwardly from a bottom edge of the panel 20 to about a midpoint of the height thereof. Each panel tab 54A-E may comprise non-right-angle corners along a bottom edge, such that, for example, each slot 55 may comprise a narrow gap 60 and wide gap 61. Referring back to FIG. 1 in addition to FIG. 3B, the narrow gaps 60 may function to receive and secure the partitioning section 36 of longitudinal panels 16, and the wide gaps 61 may facilitate the rotation of the longitudinal panels 16 with respect to the transverse panels 20 by reducing friction between the panels 20, 16 by reducing the contact area between the partitioning section 36 of the longitudinal panel 16 and each panel tab 54A-E of the partitioning section 22 of the transverse panel 20. Additionally, this particular configuration may reduce the overall weight of each transverse panel 20 by reducing the relative surface area of each panel tab 54A-E with respect to empty space defined by each slot 55. In certain exemplary embodiments, the folding tab section 58 may be approximately 2 inches wide from outer side edge to fold line 56. Additionally, the exemplary partitioning section 22 may be approximately 12 inches wide from open side edge to fold line 56. Furthermore, the exemplary transverse panel 20 may be approximately 5 inches tall from bottom edge to top edge, and each panel tab 54A-E may be approximately 2.5 inches tall from bottom edge to top of the slot 55. [0031] Referring to FIGS. 2A - 3B, the number of slots, indicated generally at 29 (FIG.

2A), 41 (FIG. 2B), 47 (FIG. 3A) and 55 (FIG. 3B), could be in greater or fewer number than that shown in the drawings. Thus, the number of individual compartments for exemplary partitioned containers is a matter of choice and may be fewer or greater than that shown in the drawings. [0032] Referring now to FIG. 4, an exterior panel 11 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The exterior panel 11 may comprise a plurality of walls 14, a plurality of folding tab sections 12A-D extending upward from the top edge of each wall 14, fold lines 15A-D at the bottom edge of folding tab sections 12A-D and top edge of each wall 14, and a mating tab 62. The walls 14 may be rotated with respect to one another about fold lines 64A-C. The folding tab sections 12A-D may be rotated with respect to the walls 14 about fold lines 15A-D. Referring now to FIG. 5 in addition to FIG. 4, the mating tab 62 may be rotated about a fold line 63 to be affixed to an open-end wall 65, permitting the exterior panel 11 to fully surmount the crate of interlocked transverse panels 20 and longitudinal panels 16, thus defining the outside of the partitioned container 10. The mating tab 62 may be affixed to the open-end wall 65 by adhesive, tape, bands or other securing mechanisms. In certain exemplary embodiments, folding tab sections 12a and 12c may be approximately 22.5 inches wide from side edge to side edge, folding tab sections 12b and 12d may be approximately 12 inches wide from side edge to side edge, and folding tab sections 12a-d may be approximately 11 inches long from top edge to fold line 15a-d. Additionally, the exemplary mating tab 62 may be approximately 2 inches wide from side edge to fold line 63, and 5 inches tall from top edge to bottom edge.

[0033] In FIG. 5, the interlocked transverse panels 20 and longitudinal panels 16 surmounted by the exterior panel 11 are seen in a position forming individual compartments 13 of an exemplary partitioned container 10. Referring back to FIGS. 2B and 3B in addition to FIG. 5, the folding tab sections 40A-B of each longitudinal panel 16 may be facially affixed to the exterior panel 11. Furthermore, the folding tab section 58 of each transverse panel may be facially affixed to the exterior panel 11. Adjacent transverse panels 20 may have the folding tab section 58 located on the opposite side of the partitioning section 22 of the transverse panel 20 with respect to each other in an alternating arrangement within the partitioned container 10. In the embodiment shown, a transverse panel gap 66 permits the side of the transverse panel 20 without a folding tab section to be placed in close proximity to a midpoint of the folding tab section 58 of the adjacent transverse panel 20 without obstructing said adjacent panel’s 20 rotation ability or its folding tab section’s 58 connection to the exterior panel 11. The folding tab section 58 may be configured to extend through the transverse panel gap 66 past a free edge of the adjacent transverse panel 20 such that the folding tab section 58 extends substantially across two individual compartments 13 of the partitioned container 10. The exemplary configurations of FIGS. 2B, 3B and 5 permit the partitioning sections 22 of the various transverse panels 20 to be placed in close parallel proximity to one another. An advantage of this particular configuration is that compartments 13 are not limited to a large maximum volume. For example, in certain preferred embodiments, the compartments may be less than 10 cubic inches in volume when the partitioned container 10 perimeter is substantially cuboid. Thus, smaller objects may be stored or shipped in various individual compartments 13 using the exemplary partitioned container 10.

[0034] It is not intended that the present invention be limited to the use of transverse panel gaps 66 and multiple folding tab sections 40 with respect to longitudinal panels 16. For example, in other exemplary embodiments, each of the longitudinal panels may comprise only one folding tab section and each of the transverse panels may comprise two folding tab sections. In such embodiments, adjacent longitudinal panels may include folding tab sections located on the opposite side of the partitioning section of the longitudinal panel with respect to one another in an alternating arrangement within the partitioned container. A longitudinal panel gap may permit the side of the longitudinal panel without a folding tab section to be placed in close proximity to a midpoint of the folding tab section of the adjacent longitudinal panel without obstructing said adjacent panel’s rotation ability or its folding tab section’s connection to the exterior panel. The longitudinal panel folding tab section may be configured to extend through the longitudinal panel gap past the adjacent longitudinal panel free edge such that the folding tab section extends substantially across two individual compartments of the partitioned container. In such embodiments, the partitioning sections of the various longitudinal panels may be placed in close parallel proximity to each other.

[0035] In still other exemplary embodiments, each of both the longitudinal panels and the transverse panels may comprise only one folding tab section. In yet other exemplary embodiments, some, but not all, of the longitudinal panels and/or the transverse panels may comprise only one folding tab section. The longitudinal panels and/or the transverse panels may be provided in an alternating arrangement within the container such that the folding tab sections are located alternately on each side of adjacent longitudinal panels and/or transverse panels.

[0036] Given that with exemplary embodiments, folding tab sections may extend across more than one individual compartment of the partitioned container, folding tab sections may be enlarged relative to the individual compartments. Enlarging the folding tab sections may result in easier application of adhesive to, for example, the folding tab section applied to the exterior panel. This may likewise improve access and suitable surface area for the use of any other type of joining technique as an alternative to, or in addition to, adhesive, such as but not limited to staples, tape, combinations thereof, or the like. This advantage may simplify manufacturing, assembly, and/or breakdown of the container.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 6, the exemplary partitioned container 10 of the FIG. 1 embodiment is shown. The exemplary partitioned container 10 may comprise longitudinal panels 16 having folding tab sections 40A-B facially affixed to the exterior panel 11, and transverse panels 20 having folding tab sections 58 facially affixed to the exterior panel 11. The interlocking of the longitudinal panels 16 and transverse panels 20 may form the plurality of individual compartments 13. The exterior panel folding tab sections 12 are shown in an open position, permitting objects (not shown) to be introduced to or removed from the various compartments 13. The exterior panel folding tab sections 12 may be folded about fold lines 15 and interlocked thereafter to form a roof of the partitioned container 10. In this particular embodiment, a floor 68 defines the base of the partitioned container 10. Additionally, in certain preferred embodiments, the transverse panel folding tab sections 58 and longitudinal panel folding tab sections 40 may extend beyond the top edge of their respective partitioning sections to add rigidity and strength to the walls 14 of the exterior panel 11.

[0038] In the FIG. 6 embodiment, a modified folding tab section 67 is shown at one end of the partitioned container 10, where the width from side edge to fold line of the modified folding tab section 67 is approximately half the width from side edge to fold line of the other transverse panel 20 folding tab sections 58. A modified folding tab section 67 may be useful for keeping compartment 13 size consistent near either end of the partitioned container 10, and for keeping the distance between substantially parallel transverse panels 20 substantially equal across the partitioned container 10. The width of the modified folding tab section 67 may be approximately 1 inch wide from open edge to fold line, and the individual compartments 13 across the partitioned container 10 may each have a substantially equal volume of approximately 10 cubic inches when the partitioned container 10 perimeter is substantially cuboid.

[0039] As is illustrated in FIG. 7, the exemplary partitioned container 10 of the FIG. 6 embodiment may be folded (fold direction demonstrated by arrow 70) into a substantially flat state. Force may be applied to one or more portions of a substantially empty partitioned container 10 to cause the interior panel partitioning sections and folding tab sections to rotate about respective fold lines, and to cause exterior panel walls 14 to rotate about their fold lines 64 until air volumes defining the interiors of each substantially empty compartment 13 have been substantially reduced. For example, the partitioned containers 10 may be folded substantially flat for storage and/or stacking. Additionally, the partitioned containers 10 may be folded substantially flat for shipment. The flattened configuration may reduce costs for users as a result of requiring less space while being transported or stored in an empty state. When it is desired that the partitioned container 10 in the substantially flat state is to have objects introduced to it, the process shown in FIG. 7 may be reversed until the configuration shown in FIG. 6 is reached.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 8, another exemplary partitioned container 80 is shown in an open position, wherein objects (not shown) may be introduced to or removed from various compartments 82. The partitioned container 80 may comprise a crate 81 having a plurality of individual cells or compartments 82 for stuffing with the same or different objects or component parts for storage or shipment. The partitioned container 80 may be useful for shipping small automobile parts, although such use is not required. Such number of individual compartments 82 is by way of illustration and not limitation.

[0041] The crate 81 of the partitioned container 80 may comprise a plurality of interior panels. As shown in FIG. 8, interior panels may include one or more longitudinal panels 94, 96 and transverse panels 88, 90, wherein the longitudinal panels 94, 96 and transverse panels 88, 90 may interlock to define the perimeter of the compartments 82 of the crate 81, as described below. The transverse panels 88, 90 and longitudinal panels 94, 96 may be surmounted by one or more exterior panels 84 having walls 87, the walls 87 being foldable about exterior panel fold lines 85. In the particular embodiment shown, longitudinal panels 94, 96 include inner longitudinal panels 96 and outer longitudinal panels 94. The inner longitudinal panels 96 may be positioned between the outer longitudinal panels 94, where the outer longitudinal panels 94 may be positioned adjacent to substantially parallel exterior panel walls 87. The longitudinal panels 94, 96 may include one or more folding tab sections 86, wherein each folding tab section 86 may be facially affixed to an inner portion of the exterior panel 84. Furthermore, in the particular embodiment shown, transverse panels 88, 90 include inner transverse panels 90 and outer transverse panels 88. The inner transverse panels 90 may be positioned between outer transverse panels 88, where the outer transverse panels 88 may be positioned adjacent to substantially parallel exterior panel walls 87. A handle 92 defined by a gap in the exterior panel 84 may be positioned at a portion of the exterior panel 84 not having a folding tab section 86 facially affixed thereto. One or more handles 92 of an exemplary container 80 may be useful, for example, for carrying a container 80 from one location to any number of other locations.

[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 8 - 15, a series of longitudinal panels, indicated generally at 94 (FIG. 9) and 96 (FIG. 10), may be mated with a series of transverse panels, indicated generally at 88 (FIG. 11) and 90 (FIG. 12), to form a crate 81 of exemplary individual compartments 82 in the interior of the partitioned container 80. In the embodiments shown, a series of transverse panel slots, such as indicated at 126 (FIGS. 11-12), may be configured to cooperate for mutual insertion with a series of longitudinal panel slots, such as indicated at 99 (FIGS. 9-10), when the slots are placed at substantially right angles to one another to form a crate 81 of exemplary individual compartments 82 in the interior of the partitioned container 80.

[0043] Referring specifically to FIG. 9, an outer longitudinal panel 94 may include a partitioning section 108 extending from a top edge 109 of the panel 94 to a bottom edge 110 of the panel 94, and extending from fold line 98A to fold line 98B, wherein fold lines 98A and 98B each define a portion of each side edge of the partitioning section 108. A folding tab section 86A-B may extend from each fold line 98A-B away from the partitioning section 108. The folding tab sections 86A-B may each substantially extend from the top edge 109 to a mid-portion height of the panel 94 between the top edge 109 and the bottom edge 110. The decreased height of the folding tab sections 86A-B with respect to the partitioning section 108 may provide the advantage of having less material within the container 80, thus reducing the weight of the container 80, the volume of the container 80 when the container 80 is folded to a substantially flat state, and the costs of manufacturing the container 80. For example, by way of illustration and not limitation, less adhesive may be needed to facially affix a folding tab section to an exterior panel when the height of the folding tab section has been reduced. [0044] The fold lines 98A-B may run along the edges shared by the partitioning section 108 and the folding tab sections 86A-B, forming inner side edges of the folding tab sections 86A-B, respectively. The partitioning section 108 may further comprise a series of slots 99 separating upper panel tabs 106A-B and lower panel tabs 112A-H from one another. In the embodiment shown, certain slots 99 extend downwardly from the top edge 109 of the panel 94 to about a midpoint of the height thereof to separate each upper panel tab 106A-B from the remainder of the partitioning section 108, and other slots extend upwardly from the bottom edge 110 of the panel 94 to about a midpoint of the height thereof to separate each lower panel tab 112A-H from one another.

[0045] Referring specifically to FIGS. 8-10, the folding tab section (86A-B, 115A-B) may cause the partitioning section (108, 118) connected thereto to be horizontally and vertically secure with respect to an adjacent exterior panel wall 87, and to be in rotational communication with the same. In some embodiments, folding tab sections 86A-B, 115A-B are facially affixed to an inner portion of the at least one exterior panel

84 by an amount of adhesive, including by way of example and not limitation, glue, staples, tape, or the like. One folding tab section (e.g., 86A in FIG. 9) of a panel (e.g.,

94 in FIGS. 8-9) may extend horizontally along a portion of the exterior panel(s) 84 in a first direction from the partitioning section (e.g., 108 in FIG. 9), and the other folding tab section (e.g., 86B in FIG. 9) of the panel (e.g., 94 in FIG. 8-9) may extend horizontally along a portion of the exterior panel(s) 84 in a second direction from the partitioning section (e.g., 108 in FIG. 9) substantially opposite of the first direction. In the FIGS. 8-10 embodiments, longitudinal panels 94, 96 may be folded about fold lines 98 to permit compaction of the crate 81 within the container 80, wherein the volume of space surrounded by each compartment 82 is substantially reduced or eliminated as the container 80 is folded towards a substantially flat state.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 9-12, each panel tab (e.g., 106A-B, 112A-H in FIG. 9) may comprise non-right-angle corners along the edge (e.g., 109, 110 in FIG. 9), such that, for example, each slot 99, 126 may comprise a narrow gap 104, 128 and wide gap 102, 130. Narrow gaps 104, 128 may function to receive, and vertically and horizontally secure the partitioning section 108, 118, 132, 144 of a mated interior panel, and wide gaps 102, 130 may facilitate the rotation of the mated interior panel by reducing friction between the panels by reducing the contact area between the slot 99, 126 of one panel and the partitioning section 108, 118, 132, 144 of the other panel. Additionally, this particular configuration may reduce the overall weight of each interior panel by reducing the relative surface area of each panel tab (e.g., 112A-H in FIG. 9) with respect to empty space defined by each slot 99, 126.

[0047] Referring specifically to FIG. 10, an inner longitudinal panel 96 may include a partitioning section 118 extending from a top edge 120 of the panel 96 to a bottom edge

119 of the panel 96, and extending from fold line 98C to fold line 98D, wherein fold lines 98C and 98D each define a portion of each side edge of the partitioning section 118. A folding tab section 115A-B may extend from each fold line 98C-D away from the partitioning section 118. The folding tab sections 115A-B may each substantially extend from the bottom edge 119 to a mid-portion height of the panel 96 between the top edge

120 and the bottom edge 119. The decreased height of the folding tab sections 115A-B with respect to the partitioning section 118 may provide the advantage of having less material within the container 80, thus reducing the weight of the container 80, the volume of the container 80 when the container 80 is folded to a substantially flat state, and the costs of manufacturing the container 80. For example, by way of illustration and not limitation, less adhesive may be needed to facially affix a folding tab section to an exterior panel when the height of the folding tab section has been reduced.

[0048] The fold lines 98C-D may run along the edges shared by the partitioning section 118 and the folding tab sections 115A-B, forming inner side edges of the folding tab sections 115A-B, respectively. The partitioning section 118 may further comprise a series of slots 99 separating lower panel tabs 116A-B and upper panel tabs 122A-H from one another. In the embodiment shown, certain slots 99 extend upwardly from the bottom edge 119 of the panel 96 to about a midpoint of the height thereof to separate each lower panel tab 116A-B from the remainder of the partitioning section 118, and other slots extend downwardly from the top edge 120 of the panel 96 to about a midpoint of the height thereof to separate each upper panel tab 122A-H from one another.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 11 , an outer transverse panel 88 may include a partitioning section 132 extending from a top edge 134 of the panel 88 to a bottom edge 133 of the panel 88, and extending from side edge 135A to side edge 135B of the panel 88. In the embodiment shown, the outer transverse panel 88 does not include any folding tab sections. This particular configuration may provide the advantage of having less material within the container 80, thus reducing the weight of the container 80, the volume of the container 80 when the container 80 is folded to a substantially flat state, and the costs of manufacturing the container 80. For example, by way of illustration and not limitation, less adhesive may be needed to facially affix folding tab sections to one or more exterior panels when less folding tab sections are present in the container. This particular configuration may further provide the advantage of allowing transverse panels to be placed in closer proximity to one another without folding tab section obstructing placement thereof.

[0050] The partitioning section 132 may further comprise a series of slots 126 separating upper panel tabs 138A-C and lower panel tabs 136A-B from one another. In the embodiment shown, certain slots 126 extend downwardly from the top edge 134 of the panel 88 to about a midpoint of the height thereof to separate each upper panel tab 138A-C from one another, and other slots extend upwardly from the bottom edge 133 of the panel 88 to about a midpoint of the height thereof to separate each lower panel tab 136A-B from the remainder of the partitioning section 132.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 12, an inner transverse panel 90 may include a partitioning section 144 extending from a top edge 146 of the panel 90 to a bottom edge 145 of the panel 90, and extending from side edge 140A to side edge 140B of the panel 90. In the embodiment shown, the inner transverse panel 90 does not include any folding tab sections. This particular configuration may provide the advantage of having less material within the container 80, thus reducing the weight of the container 80, the volume of the container 80 when the container 80 is folded to a substantially flat state, and the costs of manufacturing the container 80. For example, by way of illustration and not limitation, less adhesive may be needed to facially affix folding tab sections to one or more exterior panels when less folding tab sections are present in the container. This particular configuration may further provide the advantage of allowing transverse panels to be placed in closer proximity to one another without folding tab sections obstructing placement thereof.

[0052] The partitioning section 144 may further comprise a series of slots 126 separating lower panel tabs 148A-C and upper panel tabs 142A-B from one another. In the embodiment shown, certain slots 126 extend upwardly from the bottom edge 145 of the panel 90 to about a midpoint of the height thereof to separate each lower panel tab 148A-C from one another, and other slots extend downwardly from the top edge 146 of the panel 90 to about a midpoint of the height thereof to separate each upper panel tab 142A-B from the remainder of the partitioning section 144.

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 8-13, each slot 99 extending downward from the top edge 109 of an outer longitudinal panel 94 may be configured to mate with a slot 126 extending upward from the bottom edge 133 of an outer transverse panel 88. Mating thereof may cause the outer transverse panel 88 to be bound from below the slot 126 by the partitioning section 108 of the outer longitudinal panel 94, and the outer longitudinal panel 94 to be bound from above the slot 99 by the partitioning section 132 of the outer transverse panel 88. Each slot 99 extending upward from the bottom edge 110 of an outer longitudinal panel 94 may be configured to mate with a slot 126 extending downward from the top edge 146 of an inner transverse panel 90. Mating thereof may cause the inner transverse panel 90 to be bound from above the slot 126 by the partitioning section 108 of the outer longitudinal panel 94, and the outer longitudinal panel 94 to be bound from below the slot 99 by the partitioning section 144 of the inner transverse panel 90.

[0054] Each slot 99 extending downward from the top edge 120 of an inner longitudinal panel 96 may be configured to mate with a slot 126 extending upward from the bottom edge 145 of an inner transverse panel 90. Mating thereof may cause the inner transverse panel 90 to be bound from below the slot 126 by the partitioning section 118 of the inner longitudinal panel 96, and the inner longitudinal panel 96 to be bound from above the slot 99 by the partitioning section 144 of the inner transverse panel 90. Each slot 99 extending upward from the bottom edge 119 of an inner longitudinal panel 96 may be configured to mate with a slot 126 extending downward from the top edge 134 of an outer transverse panel 88. Mating thereof may cause the outer transverse panel 88 to be bound from above the slot 126 by the partitioning section 118 of the inner longitudinal panel 96, and the inner longitudinal panel 96 to be bound from below the slot 99 by the partitioning section 132 of the outer transverse panel 88.

[0055] The particular interior panel slot configurations of the FIGS. 8-13 embodiments may provide for a self-locking mechanism of the crate 81 of container 80, wherein each interior panel member (e.g., 88, 94) forming the crate 81 may be vertically and horizontally bound between the one or more exterior panels 84. Specifically, each interior panel (e.g., 88, 94) may be bound by partitioning sections (e.g., 108, 132) positioned above certain slots (99, 126) of the panel (e.g., 88, 94), and may further be bound by partitioning sections (e.g., 108, 132) positioned below certain slots (99, 126) of the panel (e.g., 88, 94) as described above. This particular configuration may prevent each interior panel, regardless of whether the interior panel comprises any folding tab sections facially affixed to at least one exterior panel or not, from falling out of the crate, sliding out of the crate, being pulled out of the crate, or the like. The self-locking mechanism of the FIGS. 8-13 embodiments reduces the need for adhesive to be used to maintain the crate 81 and interior panel members thereof within the one or more exterior panels 84. An advantage of reducing the need for adhesive to be used to maintain a crate and interior panel members thereof within one or more exterior panels of an exemplary container is that manufacturing costs and the overall weight of the container may be reduced by having less adhesive in the container. [0056] FIG. 13 shows the placement of various folding tab sections 86, 115 in an exemplary container 80 comprising a crate 81 having a plurality of compartments 82. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to the folding tab section configurations shown and described in the present disclosure. In other exemplary embodiments, certain longitudinal panels may comprise less than two folding tab sections. In still other exemplary embodiments, certain transverse panels may comprise one or more folding tab sections.

[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 13-15, the exterior panel 84 having a plurality of walls 87 may further comprise a plurality of folding tab sections 152, each folding tab section 152 extending from a top and/or a bottom edge of each wall 87, wherein the folding tab sections may be folded about fold lines 154 at the top and/or bottom edge of each wall 87, such as to permit the container 80 to be folded to a substantially flat state. The walls 87 may be rotated with respect to one another about fold lines 85, such as to permit the container 80 to be folded (e.g., fold direction and movement demonstrated by arrow 158 in FIG. 15) to a substantially flat state. Additionally, the exterior panel folding tab sections 152 may be folded about the fold lines 154 and adhered to one another, such as with tape, staples, glue, or the like, or interlocked with one another to form a roof and/or a floor of the partitioned container 80, wherein the exterior panel folding tab sections 152 cover at least a portion of the crate 81 of compartments 82 formed by interior panels 88, 90, 94, 96 and exterior panel(s) 84. In the FIG. 14 embodiment, a floor of adhered or interlocked folding tab section 152 may define the base of the partitioned container 80.

[0058] As is illustrated in FIG. 15, the exemplary partitioned container 80 of the FIG. 14 embodiment may be folded (fold direction demonstrated by arrow 158) into a substantially flat state. Force may be applied to one or more portions of a substantially empty partitioned container 80, such as, for example by way of illustration and not limitation, to a portion of the exterior panel 84, to cause the exterior panel 84 and interior panels (e.g., 94, 96) to rotate about respective fold lines until air volumes defining the interiors of each substantially empty compartment 82 have been substantially reduced or eliminated. Where certain interior panels (e.g., 88, 90) do not include any folding tab sections, rotation of the panels (e.g., 88, 90) may be caused by torque applied from other panels (e.g., 94, 96) mated therein and/or exterior panel(s) (e.g., 84) as the other panels (e.g., 94, 96) mated therein and/or exterior panels (e.g.,

84) rotate.

[0059] The partitioned containers 80 may be folded substantially flat for storage and/or stacking, for example. Additionally, the partitioned containers 80 may be folded substantially flat for shipment, for example. The flattened configuration may reduce costs for users as a result of requiring less space while being transported or stored in an empty state. When it is desired that the partitioned container 80 in the substantially flat state is to have objects introduced to it, the process shown in FIG. 15 may be reversed until the configuration shown in FIG. 13, for example, is reached. The exterior panel folding tab sections 152 may be rotated about fold lines 154, and interlocked thereafter to define a roof or floor of the partitioned container 80, such as for purposes of storing or shipping objects. In other embodiments, the roof or floor of the partitioned container 80 may be a detachable lid, pallet surface, or the like. In yet other embodiments, the base of the partitioned container 80 may comprise a floor. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various surfaces and/or materials may be used to define the roof and/or base of an exemplary partitioned container.

[0060] In some embodiments, the at least one exterior panel 84 comprises one or more tabs at one edge and at least one mating recesses corresponding to the tab(s) on the opposite edge. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the use of a single exterior panel having a mating tab, however. In other embodiments, for example by way of illustration and not limitation, the at least one exterior panel 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. Depending on the number of compartments desired, a plurality of exterior panels may be required to form the outside of the partitioned container. In such an embodiment, the number of fold lines will be adjusted accordingly. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that there are various ways to surmount an exemplary crate of interior panels to define the outside of an exemplary partitioned container.

[0061] Materials of construction for forming certain exemplary partitioned containers may be 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 be suitable. It will be appreciated that component part construction thereof, i.e., single-ply, double-ply, or higher, may be varied depending upon the application. The partitioned containers are shown and described in particular reference to the use of corrugated paperboard; however, such description is illustrative and not a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0062] It is not intended that the present invention be limited to the embodiments described above. For example, byway of illustration and not limitation, adjustments in the location and/or arrangement of slots in each interior panel may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the number of slots in each interior panel may be varied depending on the number of interior partitions or individual compartments desired. Furthermore, the number of panels could be in greater or fewer number than that shown in the drawings. Thus, the number of individual compartments for exemplary partitioned containers is a matter of choice and may be fewer or greater than that shown in the drawings.

[0063] While the partitioned containers 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 partitioned container not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. All citations referenced herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.