Abstract:
A collapsible, non-disassembling intersecting partition assembly for insertion into a container divides the space inside the container into individual cells for holding products. The assembly comprises a plurality of first slotted partitions intersecting with a plurality of second slotted partitions to form a collapsible matrix. Each of the first slotted partitions has opposed slots extending inwardly from opposed edges of the partition to facilitate folding the partition. An outer portion or tab of each folded partition is secured to one of the other partitions to prevent disassembly of the matrix. Each of the partitions has hooks and notches to help hold the assembly together.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a non-disassembling partition assembly for dividing the space inside a container or box. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the storage, shipment or display of parts or merchandise, it is a common practice to divide the interior of a box or container into a plurality of individual cells. The interior of a box or container is typically separated by a series of dividers, one set of parallel dividers being orthogonal to a second set of dividers. The dividers separate the interior of the container into a plurality of individual cells each of which is intended to hold a separate item for display or shipment. The division of the interior of the box or container helps prevent the items therein from contacting one another and breaking during shipping. The division or partitioning of the container also aids in the loading and unloading of the items therein, as well as inventorying the contents of each box or container. 
     The dividers typically are slotted and arranged in an orthogonal relationship to divide the interior of the box or container into a desired number of cells. The dividers are slotted in a manner that enables the dividers to engage with one another at the location of the slots so that the dividers form an orthogonal grid or matrix. Typically the dividers are made of the same material as the material of the box or container, plastic or paperboard. However, the dividers may be constructed of any suitable material with sufficient rigidity to prevent the contents of the container from contacting one another and being damaged. 
     A desirable partition assembly for many applications is one that is collapsible but not fully disassembling; the individual dividers of the assembly being affixed to each other. Such a non-disassembling assembly may be lifted as a whole out of a box without the operator worrying about the dividers separating from one another and may be collapsed for storage purposes. 
     Several U.S. patents disclose non-disassembling, collapsible partition assemblies which separate the interior of a box or container into a plurality of cells. The collapsible divider assemblies disclosed in these patents generally have a first set of dividers extending in one direction intersecting orthogonally with a second set of dividers extending in a second direction. 
     One such non-disassembling partition assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,709 to Gepfer. The Gepfer &#39;709 patent discloses a slotted partition assembly having two parallel longitudinal partitions intersecting a cross partition and a “tying” partition. The end portions of the longitudinal partitions are bent along score lines and secured to the “tying” strip by a glue bond so as to prevent disassembly of the assembled partition assembly. As seen in FIGS. 1-4 of the Gepfer &#39;709 patent, the partition assembly has three different types of panels or partitions. They include two longitudinal partitions, one cross partition, and one “tying strip” which is different than the cross partition. Each longitudinal partition is different than cross partition because each longitudinal partition lacks a relieved portion or notch at the end of the score line, and therefore cannot receive a locking protrusion or hook of one of the longitudinal partitions shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     One disadvantage of the assembled collapsible partition assembly of the Gepfer &#39;709 patent is that the partition assembly has a tendency or inclination to collapse. The partition assembly does not want to stay in a position in which the partitions are orthogonal to each other. Without product inside the cells defined by the intersecting partitions, the partition assembly of the Gepfer &#39;709 patent will want to collapse. Therefore, prior to the present invention, there was a need for a collapsible non-disassembling partition assembly which when expanded would stay in an expanded condition with the partitions in orthogonal relationship to each other. 
     For manufacturing purposes, it is desirable to manufacture a collapsible non-disassembling partition assembly with fewer styles or configurations of partitions or panels to reduce costs and complexity. Prior to the present invention, there was a need for a collapsible non-disassembling partition assembly which could be manufactured with only two configurations of partitions, rather than three or more. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The collapsible, non-disassembling intersecting partition assembly of the present invention comprises a plurality of first slotted partitions intersecting with a plurality of second slotted partitions. The slotted partitions are preferably made of paperboard, but may be made of any desired material. 
     Each of the first slotted partitions have a plurality of spaced first slots extending inwardly from a first edge of the first slotted partition, a plurality of rectangular notches aligned with the first slots and extending inwardly from a second edge of the first slotted partition opposite the first edge of the first slotted partition. One of the notches has a second slot extending inwardly from the rectangular notch, the second slot being of a length less than the length of a corresponding first slot and aligned with the corresponding first slot, wherein the first and second slots define a folding axis dividing the first slotted partition into a small portion and a large portion. Each of the second slotted partitions has a plurality of slots extending inwardly from a first edge of the second slotted partition and a plurality of rectangular notches aligned with the slots of the second slotted partition and extending inwardly from a second edge of the second slotted partition opposite the first edge of the second slotted partition. The small portions of the first slotted partitions are folded and secured to an outer surface of one of the second slotted partitions. One preferred method of attaching the first and second slotted partitions together in a non-disassembling relationship while allowing the matrix or array to collapse is to use adhesive secured to one surface of the small portions of the first slotted partitions. However, any other form of securement may be used such as staples. 
     Each slot of the second slotted partitions and each first slot of the first slotted partitions has an introductory triangular cutout and a hook located in the triangular cutout. These triangular cutouts help an operator assemble the partitions together. Once the first and second slotted partitions have engaged each other, the hooks of each of the first slotted partitions reside in the rectangular notches of the second slotted partitions. Similarly, when assembled, the hooks of the second slotted partitions reside in the rectangular notches of the first slotted partitions. 
     In one embodiment, the collapsible, non-disassembling intersecting partition assembly comprises two first slotted partitions and two second slotted partitions. However, a collapsible, non-disassembling intersecting partition assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention may comprise any number of slotted partitions. 
     In one embodiment, each of said first slotted partitions has a score line extending between said first and second slots to facilitate folding the first slotted partition. 
     The method of forming the collapsible, non-disassembling intersecting partition assembly comprises engaging the engaging the slots of the second slotted partitions with the first slots of the first slotted partitions at intersections to form the matrix or assembly. The next step comprises folding each of the first slotted partitions along its folding axis. The next step comprises attaching the small portion of the first slotted partition to the second slotted partition to permanently secure the intersecting partitions in a non-disassembling relationship. According to one aspect of this invention, the step of attaching the small portion of the first slotted partitions to one of the second slotted partitions comprises placing adhesive on one surface of the small portion of each of the first slotted partitions before folding the first slotted partition along its folding axis and contacting the small portion of the first slotted partition to the second slotted partition. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a non-disassembling intersecting partition matrix in accordance with the present invention in an assembled condition; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevational view of one of the second partitions used in the non-disassembling intersecting partition matrix of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevational view of one of the first partitions used in the non-disassembling intersecting partition matrix of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of one of the first partitions used in an alternative embodiment of non-disassembling intersecting partition matrix; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially disassembled perspective view of the non-disassembling intersecting partition matrix of  FIG. 1  prior to assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the non-disassembling intersecting partition matrix of  FIG. 1  in a partially assembled condition; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the non-disassembling intersecting partition matrix of  FIG. 1  in a partially assembled condition after the step shown in  FIG. 5  is completed; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the non-disassembling intersecting partition matrix of  FIG. 1  in a partially collapsed condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIG. 1 , a collapsible, non-disassembling intersecting partition matrix or assembly  10  for use in a container or box is illustrated in an expanded condition. The collapsible, non-disassembling intersecting partition matrix or assembly  10  comprises a plurality of first slotted partitions  12  and a plurality of second slotted partitions  14  intersecting with the first slotted partitions  12  at intersections  16 . Although the drawings show a collapsible, non-disassembling intersecting partition matrix or assembly  10  made with two first slotted partitions  12  and two second slotted partitions  14 , any number of partitions may be used in accordance with this invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the illustrated partition matrix  10  defines six individual holding cells  15  when in an expanded condition. 
     Each of the second slotted partitions  14  is identical, one being shown in  FIG. 2 . Each second slotted partition  14  has a first or bottom edge  18 , a second or top opposed edge  20  and a pair of side edges  22 . Each of the corners  23  is cut off by a diagonal cut  24 . Extending inwardly from the first edge  18  are a plurality of spaced first slots  26  extending inwardly from the first edge  18  (towards the second edge  20 ). Each first slot  26  has an introductory triangular cutout  28  proximate the first edge  18  of the partition  14  and a hook  30  located in the triangular cutout  28  as shown in  FIG. 2 . A plurality of rectangular notches  32  extend inwardly from the second edge  20  of the partition  14 . Each rectangular notch  32  is aligned with one of the first slots  26  and is sized to receive and retain one of the hooks  46  of one of the first slotted partitions  12  in a manner described below. 
     According to one embodiment, each of the first slotted partitions  12  is identical, one of the first slotted partitions  12  being shown in  FIG. 3 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , each first slotted partition  12  has a first or top edge  34 , a second or bottom opposed edge  36  and a pair of side edges  38 . Two of the corners  39  are cut off by diagonal cuts  40 . Extending inwardly from the first edge  34  are a plurality of spaced first slots  42  extending inwardly from the first edge  34  (towards the second edge  36 ). Each first slot  42  has an introductory triangular cutout  44  proximate the first edge  34  of the partition  12  and a hook  46  located in the triangular cutout  44  as shown in  FIG. 3 . A plurality of rectangular notches  48  extend inwardly from the second edge  36  of the partition  12 . Each rectangular notch  48  is aligned with one of the first slots  42  and is sized to receive and retain one of the hooks  30  of one of the second slotted partitions  14  in a manner described below. A second slot  50  extends inwardly from one of the rectangular notches  48  (towards the first edge  34 ) and is aligned with one of the first slots  42 . These aligned first and second slots  42 ,  50  define a folding axis A which divides the first slotted partition  12  into a small portion  52  and a large portion  54 . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates another version of a first slotted partition  12   a  similar to first slotted partition  12  described above and shown in  FIG. 3 . As seen in  FIG. 3A , each first slotted partition  12   a  has a first edge  34   a , a second opposed edge  36   a  and a pair of side edges  38   a . Two of the corners  39   a  are cut off by diagonal cuts  40   a . Extending inwardly from the first edge  34   a  are a plurality of spaced first slots  42   a  extending inwardly from the first edge  34   a  (towards the second edge  36   a ). Each first slot  42   a  has an introductory triangular cutout  44   a  proximate the first edge  34   a  of the partition  12   a  and a hook  46   a  located in the triangular cutout  44   a  as shown in  FIG. 3A . A plurality of rectangular notches  48   a  extend inwardly from the second edge  36   a  of the partition  12   a . Each rectangular notch  48   a  is aligned with one of the first slots  42   a  and is sized to receive and retain one of the hooks  30   a  of one of the second slotted partitions  14   a  in a manner described below. A second slot  50   a  extends inwardly from one of the rectangular notches  48   a  (towards the first edge  34   a ) and is aligned with one of the first slots  42   a . These aligned first and second slots  42   a ,  50   a  define a folding axis A which divides the first slotted partition  12   a  into a small portion  52   a  and a large portion  54   a . A score line  56  extends between the first and second slots  42   a ,  50   a  and is located along the folding axis A. The score line  56  comprises a plurality of spaced slits  58  in which no material is removed. On the other hand, in all of the partitions of all embodiments material is removed to make each of the slots. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a pair of first slotted partitions  12  oriented the same direction and spaced from each other.  FIG. 4  further illustrates a pair of second slotted partitions  14  oriented the same direction and spaced from each other above the first slotted partitions  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the lower first slotted partitions  12  are moved upwardly in the direction of arrows  60  into engagement with the second slotted partitions  14 . More particularly, the first slots  42  of the first slotted partitions  12  are engaged with the slots  26  of the second slotted partitions  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first and second slotted partitions are pushed or brought together until the hooks  46  of the first slotted partitions  12  are located in the rectangular notches  32  of the second slotted partitions  14 . Similarly, the hooks  30  of the second slotted partitions  14  are located in the rectangular notches  48  of the first slotted partitions  12 . The engagement of the hooks  30 ,  46  inside the rectangular notches  48 ,  32 , respectively helps keep the partitions  12 ,  14  of the matrix  10  in place when the matrix or assembly is in a partially or fully assembled condition. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a nozzle  62  applying adhesive  64  to one surface of the small portions  52  of the first slotted partitions  12 . Once a sufficient amount of adhesive  64  is applied to one surface of the small portions  52  of the first slotted partitions  12 , the small portion  52  of each first slotted partition  12  is pivoted, bent or folded about the folding axis A in the direction of the arrows  66  of  FIG. 6 . Although the drawings show the adhesive  64  in a generally rectangular configuration, the adhesive may be applied in any desired area or areas such as in spaced circular dots, for example. The adhesive may be applied at any desired temperature. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the adhesive  64  is allowed to cool or dry to permanently secure the small portions  52  of the first slotted partitions  12  to an outermost second slotted partition  14 .  FIG. 7  shows the non-disassembling intersecting partition matrix  10  of  FIG. 1  in a partially collapsed condition for shipping or storage. 
     While I have described only a few embodiments of my invention, I do not intend to be limited except by the scope of the following claims.