Abstract:
A divider box contains a plurality of individual compartments, i.e, a crate, formed from mated slotted transverse panels and slotted longitudinal panels. A pair of horizontal exterior panels surmount the interlocking panels forming the divider box outside. A lid and tray complete the divider box.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional applications 61/790,931, filed Mar. 15, 2013; 61/810,036, filed Apr. 9, 2013; and 61/810,057, filed Apr. 9, 2013; the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein be reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to paperboard containers, and more particularly to divider box and assembly. 
     Existing divider systems are primarily for providing internal dividers within the box container 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. 
     These perimeter air cells result in a waste of a significant portion of the box container volume, and add weight to the divider system that does not provide for additional item cells. In addition, heavy items carried in the interior cells may shift and collapse the perimeter air cells, allowing additional shifting of the contents of the box container. Shifting can cause impact damage or lead to the collapse of a stack of box containers. 
     In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that alternatives to the interlocking divider systems known in the art would improve efficiency in the shipping and manufacturing industries. 
     Broad Statement 
     A divider box contains a plurality of individual compartments. The divider box includes a series of substantially parallel transverse panels. Each transverse panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. The transverse panels have a series of slots extending from the bottom edge of each transverse panel upwardly. Each transverse panel has a folded tab at each side edge thereof. The divider box also includes a series of substantially parallel longitudinal panels. Each longitudinal panel has a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. The transverse panels have a series of slots extending from the top edge of each transverse panel downwardly. The transverse panels and the longitudinal panels are perpendicularly disposed with the transverse panel slots being placed within the longitudinal panel slots to create a crate of individual compartments. The divider box also has at least a pair of exterior panels. Each exterior panel has a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. The exterior panels have at least a pair of tabs at one side edge and at least a pair of mating recesses on the opposite side edge. Each panel has at least 1 vertical fold line. The exterior panels surmount the crate for forming an outside of the divider box. Each folded transverse panel tab is joined to the exterior panels and the exterior panel tabs and recesses are mated. The divider box is completed by having a lid and a bottom tray. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present method and process, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the disclosed divider box assembly formed from a pair of divider boxes; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a disclosed divider box, such as is used for forming the divider box assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of a longitudinal locking panel; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of a lateral locking panel; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of an exterior wrapping panel; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the divider box assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the divider box assembly of  FIG. 1  starting to be folded about its center; 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the divider box assembly of  FIG. 7  almost completely folded; and 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the divider box assembly of  FIG. 7  being folded down for shipment. 
     
    
    
     The drawings will be described in further detail below. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosed divider box assembly is useful in shipping individual component parts in individual compartments so as to prevent damage by the parts, for example, by bumping against each other during shipment. The disclosed divider box assembly can be shipped in a relatively flat, folded down configuration and then unfolded at the plant for stuffing with parts. The entire volume of the divider box is used for storing component parts inasmuch as compartments fill the entire interior volume of the divider box. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a divider box assembly,  10 , is seen in  FIG. 1  to be composed of two divider boxes,  12  and  14 , divider box  14  being shown in  FIG. 2 . Each divider box  12  and  14  is seen to have  30  individual compartments for stuffing with the same or different component parts for shipment. Such number of compartments is by way of illustration and not limitation. 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , each divider box  12  and  14  is formed by a series of panels,  16 , ( FIG. 3 ) that each have a series of slots,  18   a - 18   i , running up from the bottom of panel  16  upwardly to about the midpoint of the height thereof. Fold lines,  20  and  22 , run from top to bottom close to each side edge of panel  16  forming end tabs,  19  and  21 , respectively. 
     A second panel,  24 , ( FIG. 4 ) has a pair of downwardly projecting slots,  26   a - 26   b , running from the top edge of panel  24  to about its midpoint. The number of slots  18   a - 18   i  and  26   a - 26   b  could be in greater or fewer number than that shown in the drawings. Importantly, however, slots  18   a - 18   i  and  26   a - 26   b  cooperate for mutual insertion when panels slots  18   a - 18   i  and  26   a - 26   b  are placed at right angles to each other to form the individual compartments shown for divider boxes  12  and  14 . The number of individual compartments for each divider box also is a matter of choice and can be fewer or greater than that shown in the drawings. 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 5 and 6  where prime numbers indicate similar parts described with reference to  FIGS. 1-4  above, panels  16  and  24  are seen in position forming individual compartments. Surmounting the series of panels and forming the outside of the disclosed divider box is a pair of exterior panels, typified by panels,  28 ′ and  30 ′ (see  FIG. 2 ). Panels  28 ′ and  30 ′ have a pair of tabs,  32   a  and  32   b , on one end and a pair of mating recesses,  34   a  and  34   b , on the other end. Each panel also has a pair of fold lines,  36   a  and  36   b , running from top to bottom of each panel, the distance therebetween determining the lateral dimensions of each divider box. 
     Tabs and recesses of panels  28 ′ and  30 ′ are placed in a mating relationship and affixed to an end of panel  16  or a similar such panel, such as by adhesive, tape, bands, or other convenient mechanism. Depending on the number of compartments desired, more than 2 panel  28 &#39;s may be required to form the outside of the divider box. Thus, the number of fold lines for panel  28 ′ may need to be adjusted accordingly. 
     Each panel  16  will have the ends folded over to be similarly adhered to panel  28 ′ or  30 ′ by adhesive, tape, or other mechanism (see  FIG. 6 ). The process, then, is repeated for forming all of the compartments and outside of each divider box.  FIGS. 1 and 6  show a divider box assembly where two divider boxes have been joined together for forming the assembly. 
     One of the unique features of the disclosed divider boxes is their ability to fold flat for shipment from their place of manufacture to the plant for use. Referring now to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  9 , each divider box  28  and  30  have folded about their joining, as seen in  FIG. 7 . Such folding is continued, as in  FIG. 8 , until the assembly is flat, as seen in  FIG. 9 . Each divider box  28  and  30  also has been folded flat; thus, making shipment of each divider box and their assembly take up much less space. 
     Upon reaching the plant for use, the process shown in  FIGS. 7-9  is reversed until the assembly shown in  FIG. 1  is reached. Referring again to  Fig. 1 , a lid/base,  15 , is shown. Such lid/base  15  can be placed under each divider box for forming a base and atop each divider box for forming a lid. Each lid/base can be affixed by adhesive, tape, metal slats, or the like for retaining the component parts securely in each divider box. 
     Materials of construction for forming the divider boxes can be a paperboard or corrugated paperboard material, such as, for example, cardboard, pasteboard, fiberboard, corrugated plastic sheets, or the like. However, any recyclable material having the necessary strength and rigidity for the particular application envisioned is suitable. As to the preferred paperboard materials, it will be appreciated that the wall construction thereof, i.e., single-ply, double-ply, or higher, may be varied depending upon the application. The divider boxes and divider box assemblies will be described in particular reference to the use of corrugated paperboard; however, such description is illustrative and not a limitation on the present disclosure. 
     While the divider boxes 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 divider box not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Also, all citations referred herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.