Abstract:
A partitioned container assembly for separating articles to be packaged in a container in a manner that facilitates ventilation of the compartments. The assembly includes one or more divider partitions configured to form an asymmetrical pattern of compartments and specially adapted separating sheets positioned between stacked divider partitions and aligned therewith to improve ventilation between layers of divider partitions without sacrificing functionality.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to a partition assembly which defines a plurality of compartments for use in a container. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a partition assembly which separates articles packaged in containers in an asymmetrical manner that facilitates ventilation of the partitioned compartments. 
     (2) Description of the Related Art 
     Partition assemblies are commonly used in container packaging for separating articles packaged in the containers and preventing the articles from contacting one another when the articles are being shipped or stored. This is true for breakable articles, such as glassware and other similar articles, but is also true when packaging easily bruised food items such as fruits and vegetables. 
     A typical partitioned container assembly is comprised of a container, such as a cardboard or paperboard box, and one or more divider partitions. Additionally, the container assemblies often include a separating sheet between every two divider partitions when a stack of two or more divider partitions is used. 
     The divider partition is inserted into the container and defines a plurality of separate storage compartments along a length and width of the container interior, each compartment capable of receiving a separate article to be packaged within the container. A typical divider partition is comprised of a plurality of vertical panels of paperboard, cardboard, or other equivalent material arranged in a crisscrossing pattern and is usually formed by interlocking a plurality of rectangular panel blanks together. A first set of one or more panels each has a series of one or more slots extending downward, in parallel manner, from the top edge of each panel and terminating midway through the height of the panel. A second set of panels, each having similar slots extending upward from the bottom edge, are typically arranged perpendicular to the first set of panels and the slots of each set of panels cooperate by engaging with one another to form the divider partition. In order to reduce inadvertent disassembly, partition dividers may also incorporate tabs, folds, adhesives, or other means known in the industry to lock the panels to one another. By varying the number of first and second panels, and the number of slots in each panel, various configurations of divider partitions can be constructed. 
     Typically, divider partitions are designed such that, when inserted into a container, the first set of panels are positioned parallel to a sidewall of the container and the second set of panels are positioned parallel to an adjacent sidewall of the container. In such a configuration, a plurality of rows of compartments are formed, each row having an identical number of compartments therein. However, various prior art divider partitions have utilized panels arranged diagonally to the side walls of the container as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,146. Typically, a diagonally arranged divider partition forms rows of compartments parallel to a sidewall of the container that alternate with respect to the number of compartments per row. For example, a row of compartments adjacent and parallel to a container sidewall would have four compartments, then the next row would have three compartments, then the next row four, the next row three, and so on. Because alternating rows typically reduce the number of compartments formed within a given container as compared to divider partitions having panels parallel to the side walls of the container, the use of diagonally arranged divider partitions may be disadvantageous if no other benefit can be realized from their use. One such advantage of using a diagonally arranged divider partition is that, in many situations, two or more panels can be formed from a single panel blank by folding the blank along one or more vertical fold lines to create a separate panel on either side of the fold line. Thus, the number of blanks needed to create a given number of compartments is reduced compared to divider partitions that utilizes separate panel blanks for each panel. This can reduce the cost and logistics associated with the assembly of divider partitions. 
     Divider partitions are typically only slightly taller than the articles being packaged in the containers. When the container is substantially taller than a divider partition, container assemblies often include a stack of two or more divider partitions within the container. In such a situation, it is common to place a separating sheet between each two divider partitions to prevent each of the articles packaged in the compartments of a first partition divider from contacting or resting upon another article in a compartment formed by a second divider partition that is directly above or below the first. The separating sheet is generally a flat rectangular sheet constructed of the same material as the divider partition panels and has a width and length corresponding to the internal length and width of the container. 
     When the articles being packaged are easily spoiled food items such as fruits and vegetables, it is desirable to circulate chilled air, ripening agents, and insecticides throughout the produce in the containers. For this reason, prior art partition assemblies frequently provide means for ventilating one or more of the compartments such as providing slots, holes, or perforations throughout the container assembly. Despite such means, it remains difficult to achieve adequate ventilation throughout the compartments of partitioned container assemblies. 
     The present invention overcomes the problem of insufficient ventilation of prior art partitioned container assemblies by utilizing a divider partition that provides asymmetric positioning of the compartments in a manner that facilitates ventilation of the compartments. Additionally, a separating sheet, optimized to work in conjunction with the divider partitions, can be positioned between stacked layers of compartments to improve ventilation between layers of partitions over that provided by traditional prior art separating sheets. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of an improved divider partition and separating sheet for use in a partitioned container assembly. In accordance with the partitioned container assembly of this invention, a divider partition has panels positioned diagonally to the sides of the container and defines one less compartments against a first side of the container than against an opposite, second side. A separating sheet may be placed on top of the divider partition to provide a surface upon which an additional divider partition may be placed. The separating sheet forms ventilation passages between two adjacent divider partitions at locations associated to the pattern of compartments formed by the divider partitions. 
     While the principle advantages and features of the present invention have been described above, a more complete and thorough understanding and appreciation for the invention may be attained by referring to the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment which follow. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a partitioned container assembly constructed according to the principals of this invention with spherical items schematically representing produce packaged therein, the container being shown partly broken away. 
     FIG. 2 is isometric view of a divider partition of the preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 3 is an elevation view of an unfolded panel blank used to form the divider partition. 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of a separating sheet used to practice the preferred embodiment of this invention. 
    
    
     Reference characters in the written specification indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment of the partitioned container assembly of this invention is illustrated in FIG.  1  and can be used in conjunction with various articles shipped or stored in containers. FIG. 1 shows a partitioned container assembly  20  comprised of a container  22 , one or more divider partitions  24 , and a separator sheet  26  positioned between every two adjacent divider partitions  24 . The container  22  is shown partially broken away and the articles  27  to be packaged therein are schematically represented as spheres. In the preferred embodiment, the container assembly is intending for use in packaging produce and the spheres in FIG. 1 represent produce. 
     The container  22  is a standard rectangular container such as a cardboard or paperboard box of the type commonly used in transporting fresh produce, as well as other items. By describing the container  22  as rectangular, it is also intended to include a square container. The container has first  32  and second  34  longitudinally extending sidewalls, first  36  and second  38  laterally extending sidewalls, and a bottom  42 . The sidewalls and bottom are all connected together by any known method of box construction. In addition, the sidewalls of the container are provided with oblong, upwardly extending slots  44  to provide ventilation to the interior of the container. The container  22  shown in FIG. 1 is shown without a top closure. However, the container could be provided with any of the known type of closures for a box such as a removable top or flaps that are attached to the top edges of the sidewalls that can be folded over to close the interior of the container. 
     The container  22  shown in FIG. 1 contains three divider partitions  24  stacked on each other and separated by two separator sheets  26 . Depending on the vertical height of the particular container employed, the container interior could contain only one divider partition  24  or any number of divider partitions. 
     The particular construction of the divider partition  24  of the invention is shown in FIG.  2 . The divider partition  24  is constructed of two identical blanks  46  of the type shown in FIG.  3 . Each blank  46  is formed from a rectangular strip of cardboard or paperboard material. The blank  46  has a longitudinal length between opposite first  48  and second  52  ends of the blank. Each blank  46  has a longitudinally extending bottom edge  54  and a longitudinally extending top edge  56  that extend between the two ends of the blank. A series of slots are cut into the blank  46  with the blank shown in FIG. 3 having three slots  58  cut into the top edge  56  of the blank. The slots  58  extend at least half way through the blank  46  between its top and bottom edges and have equal longitudinal spacings between each other. Folds  64  are formed in the blank  46  and are positioned midway between adjacent slots  58 . The number of folds  64  and slots  58  made in the blank  46  shown in FIG. 3 determine the construction of the particular divider partition  24  shown in FIG.  2 . Of course, if the divider partition  24  were to be longer, additional folds and slots would be needed. Furthermore, in forming the particular divider partition  24  of the invention, the folds  64  are longitudinally positioned on the blank  46  a greater distance from the first end  48  than from the second end  52  to form a pair of panels  66 ,  68  having equal longitudinal length dimensions and a third panel  72  that has a lesser longitudinal length dimension than the other two. This dimensioning of the blank  46  gives the diverter partition  24  its asymmetric configuration that is described infra. 
     In assembling the pair of blanks  46  together to construct the diverter partition  24  of FIG. 2, each blank  46  is first folded along its folds  64  to form a zigzag configuration. One of the blanks is then inverted and the two blanks are then assembled together as shown in FIG. 2 with their respective slots  58  interlocking. To further assist in the interlocking of the two blanks, each of the slots is provided with a chamfered opening  74  to assist in alignment of the slots of one blank with the slots of the other blank during assembly of the divider partition. Although all of the slots  58  of each blank  46  are shown cut into the same longitudinally extending edge of each blank, two slots could alternatively be cut into one edge of the blank and one slot into the opposite edge of the blank. Such an alternative configuration of the slots would require the blanks to be slightly twisted relative to each other when interlocking the slots during assembly of the divider partition yet could prevent inadvertent disassembly of the two blanks from the divider partition during use. 
     With the two blanks assembled forming the divider partition  24  shown in FIG. 2, the partition has two diamond-shaped or square shaped enclosed compartments  82 . Due to the particular configuration of the blanks  46 , both compartments  82  have sides of equal longitudinal length that are formed by the panels  66 ,  68 ,  72  of the blanks. At a first longitudinal end of the divider partition  24  shown to the right in FIG. 2, portions of the panels  66  adjacent the first ends  48  of the blanks  46  form a V-shaped compartment  86 . The opposite ends  52  of the blanks  46  are also positioned in a V-shape at a second, longitudinally opposite end of the divider partition  24  shown to the left in FIG.  2 . However, the V-shape formed at the second end of the divider partition  24  is smaller than the V-shaped compartment  86  formed at the first end due to the shortened lengths of the panels  72  adjacent the second ends  52  of the blanks  46 . Thus, the particular configuration of the blanks  46  gives the divider partition  24  its asymmetric configuration shown in FIG. 2 where the right-hand end of the partition is not the same as the left-hand end of the partition  24 . This particular configuration of the divider partition  24  also provides for improved ventilation around the partition when inserted in the container  22  as will be described. 
     When the divider partition  24  is assembled into the container  22 , the panels  66 ,  68 ,  72  of each of the partition blanks  46  are positioned at diagonals relative to the longitudinally extending sidewalls  32 ,  34  and the laterally extending sidewalls  36 ,  38  of the container. This diagonal arrangement of the panels forms lateral rows of compartments across the container interior that alternate in the number of compartments per row. For example, in viewing FIG. 1, a first lateral row of compartments adjacent the first laterally extending sidewall  36  of the container  22  has only one compartment  92 . The next adjacent lateral row of compartments has two compartments  94 . The next adjacent lateral row of compartments has only one compartment  96 , and so on. This continues longitudinally across the interior of the container  22  to the last lateral row of compartments that includes two compartments  98 . Thus, due to the particular configuration of the divider partition  24 , the lateral row of compartments adjacent the first laterally extending sidewall  36  of the container has a different number of compartments than the last lateral row of compartments adjacent the second laterally extending sidewall  38  of the container. Depending on the number of blanks employed in constructing each divider partition assembled into any particular horizontal plane in the container  22 , the divider partitions will have alternating lateral rows of compartments in which the rows alternate in having an N number of compartments and an N+1 number of compartments. In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, N equals 1 so that the first lateral row of compartments has only one compartment  92 . The next adjacent lateral row of compartments has two compartments  94 , and so on. Also, in the preferred embodiment of the divider partition  24  shown in FIG. 1, the number of compartments  102  adjacent the first longitudinally extending sidewall  32  of the container is the same number of compartments  104  adjacent the second longitudinally extending sidewall  34  of the container. 
     An additional important feature of the divider partition  24  of the invention worth noting is that the panels of the blanks are dimensioned sufficiently large enough to separate the articles  27  between compartments, but the longitudinal dimensioning of the panels is such that the longitudinal length of the divider partition  24  is shorter than the longitudinal length of the container  27  and the lateral length of the divider partition  24  is also shorter than the lateral length of the container  22 . This provides gaps between the divider partition  24  and the container sidewalls that serve as ventilation gaps or ventilation passages between compartments. The gaps or passages enable a free flow of air around the articles contained in the container  22  and the diverter partition  24 . 
     When the partition container assembly  20  employs more than one divider partition  24 , a separator sheet  26  is employed to separate any two diverter partitions  24  stacked in the container  22  to form layers of compartments within the container. The preferred embodiment of the separator sheet  26  is shown in FIG.  4 . As with prior art separator sheets, additional ventilation passages or holes  106  are formed through the sheet. The sheet  26  is provided with laterally opposite, longitudinally extending first  112  and second  114  edges and longitudinally opposite, laterally extending first  116  and second  118  edges. Together, the longitudinal edges and lateral edges define the perimeter of the sheet  26 . The first and second longitudinal edges  112 ,  114  are given lengths slightly shorter than the lengths of the opposite longitudinally extending sidewalls  32 ,  34  of the container  22 . The laterally extending edges  116 ,  118  of the separator sheet have lengths that are slightly larger than the lengths of the laterally extending sidewalls  36 ,  38  of the container. The extended length of the first lateral edge  116  of the separator shown to the right in FIG. 4 is due to it having a generally convex configuration. This configuration is produced by the edge  116  being formed with two straight portions that meet at an apex  122  at the center of the separator sheet  26 . In a like manner, the length of the second lateral edge  118  of the separator sheet is due to its having a generally concave configuration. This configuration is formed by the edge  118  having two straight portions that meet at a vertex  124 . 
     The configuration of the perimeter of the separator sheet  26  creates vertical vent gaps or passages in the interior of the container  22  when the separator sheet is assembled into the container. Referring to FIG. 1, separator sheets  26  are shown positioned in the container  22  separating adjacent divider partitions  24  stacked in the container. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the separator sheets  26  are positioned in the container in a particular orientation relative to the divider partitions  24 . The separator sheets are positioned so that their first lateral edges  116  are adjacent the first laterally extending sidewalls  36  of the container. This also positions the first lateral edge  116  of the separator sheet adjacent the first ends  48  of the blanks that make up the divider partitions  24 . Thus, the extending portion of the separator sheet  26  provided by its convex configuration toward its apex  122  serves as a support for the article positioned in the first lateral compartment  92  formed by the V-shaped compartment  86  of the divider partitions  24 . The manner in which the first lateral edge  116  tapers away from the apex  122  produces the ventilation gaps in the corners where the first laterally extending sidewall  36  of the container meets with the first and second longitudinally extending sidewalls  32 ,  34  of the container. 
     At the opposite end of the separator sheet  26 , the points adjacent the opposite longitudinal edges  112 ,  114  of the sheet formed by the generally concave configuration of the second lateral edge  18  of the sheet are positioned beneath the compartments  98  in the last lateral row of compartments formed by the partition  24 . These points serve as supports for articles positioned in the compartments  98 . In addition, the concave configuration of the second lateral edge  118  formed by the vertex  124  of the edge produces a ventilation gap or passage that extends upwardly along the center of the second laterally extending sidewall  38  of the container  22 . Each of the separator sheets  26  assembled into the container  22  separating divider partitions  24  stacked in the container are oriented in the same manner as shown in FIG. 1, thus providing ventilation passages that extend vertically upward through the container venting each of the layers of articles stacked in the container. In a like manner, each of the divider partitions  24  stacked in the container are oriented as shown in FIG. 1 where they function with the separator sheets  26  to provide support beneath the articles positioned in the container by the divider partitions  24 . 
     The configuration of the separator sheet  26  creates ventilation passages on either side of the apex  122  and between the edges of the vertex  124 , the passages being partially bound by the side of the container  22  when the sheet is placed horizontally therein. The apex  122  and the laterally opposite tips of the vertex  124  also act to limit horizontal translation of the separator sheet  26  relative to the container  22  by engaging the sides of container  22 . In the preferred embodiment, the pointed apex  122  is complementary (i.e. like the opposite edges of two puzzle pieces that would fit together) to the chevron shaped vertex  124  which enables the separator sheets to be cut from a continuous strip of material reducing waste and cost during manufacture and minimizing spatial requirements for storing the separator sheets  26 . However, it is not necessary that both ends of the separator sheet be complementary nor is it necessary that either end be pointed or chevron shaped. 
     Alternative embodiments of the partitioned container assembly that have more articles per row than in the preferred embodiment could utilize multi-pointed separating sheets in the same manner to provide increased ventilation over prior art assemblies. 
     While the present invention has been described by reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the following claims.