Patent Publication Number: US-9889985-B2

Title: Container and method for storage and transport of supported contents

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/962,985, filed Dec. 8, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/761,018, filed Feb. 6, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,211,997, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This disclosure is generally related to containers, and more particularly, to containers and related methods for packaging fragile contents, such as, for example, flowers, for transport. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     In commercial and private settings, users have long benefited from containers, such as corrugated paperboard containers, when shipping goods, gifts, and other items. Furthermore, due to the increasingly interstate and global nature of relationships and businesses, individuals and businesses often communicate through remote gestures and distant dealings, such as shipping goods and/or gifts. Frequently, these items are fragile, as is the case when shipping flowers and breakables. Consequently, senders expend time, money and additional material to support and secure contents of the container for transport. Accordingly, existing containers include those designed to reduce assembly time and material while better securing the contents. 
     Some solutions include corrugated containers having a divider that provides some support of the contents. However, even when using these corrugated containers, the contents continue to experience some movement during transport. Consequently, other solutions include ties inserted through tie holes and engaging a portion of the contents as well as being tied to a portion of one of the box sides, further securing the contents in place. This tying process is time-consuming, cumbersome, and costly for individuals and businesses that ship many items, especially fragile items, such as flowers, on a regular basis. For such businesses, saving even a few seconds when assembling each container amounts to a sizeable time and cost savings over a longer duration such as a day, a week or a month. 
     Additionally, ties such as strings, ribbons, or wires used to secure contents such as flowers also make opening conventional containers difficult. Particularly, when the contents are fragile, recipients of conventional containers often spend excess time and effort to untie the contents from the container to prevent damaging the contents. Furthermore, tying fragile and delicate contents such as flowers introduces additional opportunity for damaging the contents during transport. 
     Examples of corrugated containers for shipping fragile items such as flowers using wires or ties are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,797, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Examples of corrugated containers for shipping fragile items such as flowers in a tieless manner are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,584,855, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Embodiments described herein provide container structures that are erectable in a particularly efficient manner and well adapted to transport fragile or delicate items, such as flowers. Embodiments may also be configured to support and transport items with reduced material demands relative to conventional containers for transporting similar items. 
     According to one embodiment, a container for transporting items, such as, for example, flowers, may be summarized as including an outer case member having a plurality of sidewall panels and a plurality of base panels, the outer case member erectable from a collapsed configuration, in which the container is substantially flat, to an erected configuration, in which the plurality of sidewall panels and the plurality of base panels collectively define an interior cavity to receive the item to be transported; and a pair of partition members, each partition member having a foot panel, a side panel and a support panel, the foot panel of each partition member fixedly coupled to a respective one of the plurality of base panels of the outer case member, the side panel of each partition member fixedly coupled to a respective one of the plurality of sidewall panels of the outer case member, and the support panel of each partition member provided between the foot panel and the side panel of each respective partition member to collectively partition the interior cavity of the outer case member into opposing regions and to support a portion of the item to be transported when the outer case member is erected. 
     Each partition member may further include a supplemental support panel foldably coupled to the support panel, the supplemental support panels of the partition members collectively defining a V-shaped trough on which to support the portion of the item to be transported when the outer case member is in the erected configuration. Each of the supplemental support panels may include a lock device to secure the partition members in a support configuration when the outer case member is in the erected configuration. For each partition member, the support panel may be generally normal to the side panel when the outer case member is in the erected configuration and may be generally parallel to the side panel when the outer case member is in the collapsed configuration. For each partition member, the support panel may be connected to the foot panel by a respective intermediary web panel such that, when the outer case member moves from the collapsed configuration to the erected configuration, the foot panel rotates the support panel relative to the side panel via the intermediary web panel. When the outer case member is in the erected configuration, each intermediary web panel may be inclined relative to the base panels of the outer case member toward a central region of the interior cavity. 
     At least one of the partition members may include a wedge device that cooperates with the support panels of the partition members to define a window when the outer case member is in the erected configuration. The wedge device may be selectively adjustable to change a size of the window. The wedge device may be coupled to the side panel of the partition member by an upper panel. 
     According to another embodiment, an erectable container to transport flowers may be summarized as including an outer case member and a pair of partition members attached to the outer case member, the partition members configured to at least partially erect into a stem support structure as the outer case member is erected from a collapsed configuration to an erected configuration, the stem support structure providing a support trough offset from a floor of the outer case member when the stem support structure is completely erected and locked in a support configuration. The stem support structure may partition the interior cavity of the outer case member into opposing regions when the outer case member is in the erected configuration and the stem support structure is locked in the support configuration. 
     The outer case member may include a plurality of sidewall panels and a plurality of base panels, and each partition member may include a foot panel, a side panel and a support panel, the foot panel of each partition member fixedly coupled to a respective one of the plurality of base panels of the outer case member, the side panel of each partition member fixedly coupled to a respective one of the plurality of sidewall panels of the outer case member, and the support panel of each partition member provided between the foot panel and the side panel of each respective partition member. Each partition member may further include a supplemental support panel foldably coupled to the support panel, the supplemental support panels of the partition members collectively defining the support trough on which to support stems of the flowers to be transported when the outer case member is in the erected configuration and the stem support structure is locked in the support configuration. Each of the supplemental support panels may include a lock device to secure the stem support structure in the support configuration with the outer case member in the erected configuration. For each partition member, the support panel may be generally normal to the side panel when the outer case member is in the erected configuration and may be generally parallel to the side panel when the outer case member is in the collapsed configuration. For each partition member, the support panel may be connected to the foot panel by a respective intermediary web panel such that, when the outer case member moves from the collapsed configuration to the erected configuration, the foot panel rotates the support panel relative to the side panel via the intermediary web panel. At least one of the partition members may include a wedge device that cooperates with the stem support structure when the outer case member is in the erected configuration to define a window. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of packaging an item in a container for transport may be summarized as including: erecting an outer case member from a collapsed configuration to an erected configuration to define an interior cavity to receive the item, whereby erecting the outer case member simultaneously moves a pair of opposing partition members coupled to the outer case member toward a support configuration; locking the partition members in the support configuration; and placing an item in the interior cavity of the outer case member with a portion of the item supported by the partition members in the support configuration. The method may further include, after placing the item in the interior cavity, positioning a wedge member relative to the partition members to establish a window through which the item extends and/or wedging the item between a wedge member and the partition members in the support configuration. The method may further include sealing the outer case member in a closed configuration, whereby sealing the outer case member in the closed configuration maintains the wedge member in position relative to the partition members to secure the item therebetween. Placing the item in the interior cavity of the outer case member may include positioning at least one flower within a vase disposed in the interior cavity of the outer case member with a stem of the flower in contact with the partition members. Locking the partition members in the support configuration may include locking the partition members in a trough arrangement to support a portion of the item offset from a floor of the outer case member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a container structure in a splayed configuration showing a pair of partition members coupled to interior surfaces of an outer case member. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the container structure of  FIG. 1  in a sleeve configuration, which is erectable to form a container with an interior cavity for receiving and transporting items, such as, for example, flowers. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the container structure of  FIG. 1  in an erected configuration with an end portion of the container in a loading configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the container structure of  FIG. 1  in the erected configuration with the end portion of the container in a transport configuration and with a portion of the container broken away to reveal additional details thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with corrugated paperboard containers and methods of forming and erecting corrugated paperboard containers may not be shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments. For instance, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art that conventional folder-gluer machines or other conventional forming machines may be used to form the container structures described herein. In addition, it will be appreciated that the container structures described herein can be fabricated from materials that are formable and which can maintain a shape after being formed, such as, for example, corrugated paperboard. Still further, it will be appreciated that various panels of the container structures described herein may be separated by features configured to promote folding of the panels relative to each other. These features may include, for example, perforations, creases, score lines, cut lines, fold lines or any other features to promote folding between the panels. 
     Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is as “including, but not limited to.” 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
     As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Embodiments described herein provide container structures that are erectable in a particularly efficient manner and well adapted to receive and transport fragile or delicate items, such as flowers. Embodiments may also be configured to support and transport items with reduced material demands relative to conventional containers for transporting similar items. 
       FIGS. 1 through 4  show an example embodiment of a container structure  10  for transporting items, such as, for example, flowers, in a particularly secure and well-supported manner.  FIG. 1  shows the container structure  10  in a splayed configuration S with a pair of partition members  12   a ,  12   b  attached to interior surfaces of an outer case member  14 .  FIG. 2  shows the container structure  10  in a sleeve or collapsed configuration C, which is erectable to form a container  20  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) having an interior cavity  22  for receiving and transporting flowers or other items. Finally,  FIG. 3  shows the container structure  10  in an erected configuration E with an end portion  26  of the container  20  in a loading configuration L, while  FIG. 4  shows the container structure  10  in the erected configuration E with the end portion  26  of the container  20  in a transport configuration T. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the outer case member  14  of the container structure  10  includes a plurality of sidewall panels  30   a - d , a plurality of base panels  32   a - d , a plurality of closure panels  34   a ,  34   b  and an end flange  36 , which are foldably connected to each other to erect to form a generally rectangular outer case  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , within which to receive and transport items. More particularly, the outer case member  14  is erectable from the sleeve or collapsed configuration C shown in  FIG. 2 , in which the container structure  10  is substantially flat, to the erected configuration E shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  in which the plurality of sidewall panels  30   a - d  and the plurality of base panels  32   a - d  collectively define the interior cavity  22  for receiving and transporting flowers or other items. 
     The base panels  32   a - d  of the outer case member  14  may overlap in a conventional manner when folded to collectively form a floor or base  42  of the erected container  20 , as shown best in  FIG. 4 . With reference back to  FIG. 1 , the base panels  32   a - d  may include interlocking features  44   a - d , which collectively lock the base  42  and container  20  in the erected configuration E shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , without the use of adhesives or other fastening devices. In order to lock the base  42  and container  20  in the erected configuration E, the base panels  32   a - d  may be folded in an overlapping manner and moved past a horizontal position until the interlocking features  44   a ,  44   b  of the base panels  32   a ,  32   b  initially interlock. After the interlocking features  44   a ,  44   b  of the base panels  32   a ,  32   b  initially interlock, the base panels  32   a - d  may relax back toward a horizontal position until the interlocking features  44   a ,  44   b  of the base panels  32   a ,  32   b  bottom out and hold the base panels  32   a - d  in a generally horizontal configuration. The interlocking nature of the interlocking features  44   a ,  44   b  of the base panels  32   a ,  32   b  is best shown in the cutaway portion of  FIG. 4 . Advantageously, in some embodiments, an end portion  61  of a foot panel  60  of one of the partition members  12   a  may be positioned with respect to the interlocking features  44   a ,  44   b  of the base panels  32   a ,  32   b  to abut a portion of the interlocking features  44   a ,  44   b  when the interlocking features  44   a ,  44   b  are interlocked to assist in holding the base panels  32   a ,  32   b  together in the erected configuration E. 
     With reference again to  FIG. 1 , the outer case member  14  of the container structure  10  may further include a plurality of end panels  46   c ,  46   d  foldably coupled to respective sidewall panels  30   c ,  30   d , which are configured to fold inwardly toward the base panels  32   a ,  32   b  after erection of the outer case member  14 . Upon folding, the end panels  46   c ,  46   d  may engage locking apertures  48  provided in a portion of the base panel  32   b  which are exposed to the interior cavity  22  of the erected container  20 . For this purpose, each of the end panels  46   c ,  46   d  may be provided with a locking tab  50  of other feature for engaging the locking apertures  48 . When locked in this manner, the end panels  46   c ,  46   d  and the respective sidewall panels  30   c ,  30   d  to which they are foldably coupled may form a dual-walled structure at opposing ends of the erected container  20 . The panels  30   c ,  30   d ,  46   c ,  46   d  of this dual-walled structure may be flush or offset from each other. When locked in the manner described above, the container structure  10  is held securely in the erected configuration E shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     With reference again to  FIG. 1 , the pair of partition members  12   a ,  12   b  are coupled to interior surfaces of an outer case member  14 . Each partition member  12   a ,  12   b  includes a foot panel  60 , a side panel  62  and a support panel  64 . The foot panel  60  of each partition member  12   a ,  12   b  is fixedly coupled to a respective one of the plurality of base panels  32   a ,  32   b  of the outer case member  14 , such as, for example, by adhesive G 1  or other fastening devices. Similarly, the side panel  62  of each partition member  12   a ,  12   b  is fixedly coupled to a respective one of the plurality of sidewall panels  30   a ,  30   b  of the outer case member  14 , such as, for example, by adhesive G 2  or other fastening devices. Accordingly, in the splayed configuration S shown in  FIG. 1 , as well as the sleeve or collapsed configuration C shown in  FIG. 2 , the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  may lay flat against the outer case member  14  and span across a respective interface between the sidewall panels  30   a ,  30   b  and the base panels  32   a ,  32   b  of the outer case member  14 . 
     The support panel  64  of each partition member  12   a ,  12   b  is provided between the foot panel  60  and the side panel  62  of each respective partition member  12   a ,  12   b . In addition, an intermediary web panel  66  is provided between the foot panel  60  and the support panel  64  such that, when the outer case member  14  moves from the collapsed configuration C ( FIG. 2 ) to the erected configuration E ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ), the foot panel  60  rotates the support panel  64  via the intermediary web panel  66  from an initial configuration in which the support panel  64  is generally parallel to the side panel  62  to a support configuration in which the support panel  64  is generally perpendicular to the side panel  62 . More particularly, as each foot panel  60  moves with the base panels  32   a ,  32   b  of the outer case member  14  into the erected configuration E, the intermediary web panels  66  are moved via their connection to the foot panels  60  at respective fold lines  67  and draw the support panels  64  away from the sidewall panels  30   a ,  30   b  of the outer case member  14  as the support panels  64  bend about respective folds lines  69  that are provided between the support panels  64  and the side panels  62 . In this manner, the support panels  64  may be moved into a support configuration by simply folding and interlocking the base panels  32   a ,  32   b  of the outer case member  14  into the erected configuration E. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , each partition member  12   a ,  12   b  may further include a supplemental support panel  68  that is foldably coupled to the support panel  64  of each respective partition member  12   a ,  12   b  about a respective fold line  71 . After the outer case member  14  moves from the collapsed configuration C ( FIG. 2 ) to the erected configuration E ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and the foot panel  60  rotates the support panel  64  relative to the side panel  62  via the intermediary web panel  66  as described above, the supplemental support panel  68  of each partition member  12   a ,  12   b  may be folded relative to each respective support panel  64  about fold line  71  to collectively define a V-shaped trough  70 . The trough  70  is suitable to support a portion of the item to be transported, such as, for example, the stem of a flower. 
     Each of the supplemental support panels  68  may include a lock device  72  to secure the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  in a support configuration when the outer case member  14  is in the erected configuration. The lock device  72  may be a locking tab, for example, and may engage a corresponding locking aperture  74  provided in the side panel  62  of the partition member  12   a ,  12   b . The locking tab may be foldably coupled to the supplemental support panel  68  and may bend slightly relative to the supplemental support panel  68  when moved into locking engagement with the locking aperture  74 . In this locked configuration, the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  are securely held in the support configuration shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     After the container structure  10  is formed into the sleeve or collapsed configuration C shown in  FIG. 2  and subsequently erected into the erected configuration E, the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  may collectively partition the interior cavity  22  of the outer case member  14  into opposing regions or end portions  26 ,  28 . For example, the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  may partition the interior cavity  22  into a first end portion  26  and a second end portion  28 . The first end portion  26  may be configured to receive a receptacle or vessel, such as a vase, within which the item or items to be transported may be provided. The item or items to be transported may extend from the receptacle or vessel when disposed in the first end portion  26  into the second end portion  28  with an intermediate portion of the item or items supported by the support structure provided by the partition members  12   a ,  12   b.    
     The support panel  64  of each partition member  12   a ,  12   b  may be generally parallel to the sidewall panel  30   a ,  30   b  to which the partition member  12   a ,  12   b  is attached when the outer case member  14  is in the collapsed configuration C shown in  FIG. 2 . Conversely, when the container structure  10  is erected into the erected configuration E shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the support panel  64  of each partition member  12   a ,  12   b  may be drawn into a position that is generally normal to the sidewall panel  30   a ,  30   b  to which the partition member  12   a ,  12   b  is attached. Furthermore, when the outer case member  14  is in the erected configuration E, each intermediary web panel  66  may be moved into a position wherein the intermediary web panel  66  is inclined relative to the base panels  32   a ,  32   b  of the outer case member  14  toward a central region of the interior cavity  22 , as shown best in  FIG. 4 . In the final, locked support configuration, the supplemental support panels  68  may extend generally normal to the support panels  64  to provide the V-shaped trough  70 . Advantageously, the V-shaped trough  70  is configured to support a portion of an item or items to be transported offset from the base  42  of the erected container  20 . In some embodiments, for example, the trough  70  may be configured to support a portion of an item about midway between the base  42  of the erected container  20  and the closure panels  34   a ,  34   b.    
     With reference to  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 , at least one of the partition members  12   a ,  12   b , may be provided with a wedge device  80  for selectively wedging the item or items to be transported into the V-shaped trough  70  defined by the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  when the container structure  10  is in the erected configuration E. For example, the wedge device  80  may be configured to cooperate with the support panels  64  and supplemental support panels  68  of the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  to define a window  82  when the container structure  10  is in the erected configuration E. When viewing the window  82  in a direction normal to the end sidewall panels of the  30   c ,  30   d , the window  82  may have a diamond shaped, triangular shaped or other shaped profile that may be well suited to receive and pack a plurality of like items (e.g., flower stems) in a secure manner. The shape of the window  82  may be defined by a projected profile of the V-shaped trough  70  and a portion of an aperture  84   a ,  84   b  of the wedge device  80 . 
     The wedge device  80  may be adjustable to adjust a size of the window  82 . For example, the wedge device  80  may include pre-formed creases, scores, perforations or other features  86   a ,  86   b  that facilitate folding the wedge device  80  into one of several possible wedge configurations. For example, the example embodiment of the container structure  10  of  FIGS. 1 through 4  show the wedge device  80  with two pre-formed features  86   a ,  86   b  for selectively folding the wedge device  80  into two different wedge configurations.  FIGS. 3 and 4  show the wedge device  80  bent about one of the pre-formed features  86   a  for selectively folding the wedge device  80  into one configuration that is adapted to define a window  82  that is relatively larger than if the wedge device  80  was folded about the other pre-formed feature  86   b.    
     The wedge device  80  may be coupled to the side panel  62  of the partition member  12   a  by an upper panel  90 . The upper panel  90  may be configured to enable selective movement of the wedge device  80  into and out of engagement with the item or items to be transported by rotating the upper panel  90  relative to the side panel  62 . The upper panel  90  may be sized and shaped to substantially cover the first end portion  26  of the interior cavity  22  of the erected container  20  after moving the wedge device  80  into engagement with the item or items to be transported. In this manner, the upper panel  90 , the support structure of the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  and the outer case member  14  may form a sub-compartment that substantially encloses the first end portion  26  of the interior cavity  22  irrespective of the position of the closure panels  34   a ,  34   b  of the outer case member  14 . Accordingly, a receptacle or vessel, such as a vase, may be enclosed within the first portion  26  of the interior cavity  22  of the erected container  20  prior to folding the closure panels  34   a ,  34   b . A cutout  92 , tab or other feature may be provided to facilitate moving the upper panel  90  and hence wedge device  80  away from the transport configuration T ( FIG. 4 ) to reveal the receptacle or vessel and item or items stored therein. 
     In view of the above, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art that a method of packaging an item in a container  20  for transport may be provided which includes erecting an outer case member  14  from a collapsed configuration C to an erected configuration E to define an interior cavity  22  to receive the item, whereby erecting the outer case member  14  simultaneously moves a pair of opposing partition members  12   a ,  12   b  coupled to the outer case member  14  toward a support configuration; locking the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  in the support configuration; and placing an item in the interior cavity  22  of the outer case member  14  with a portion of the item supported by the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  in the support configuration. Placing the item in the interior cavity  22  of the outer case member  14  may include positioning a vase of flowers in the interior cavity  22  of the outer case member  14  with at least one stem of the flowers in contact with the partition members  12   a ,  12   b . The partition members  12   a ,  12   b  may be locked in a trough arrangement to support a portion of the item offset from a floor or base  42  of the outer case member  14 . 
     The method may further include, after placing the item in the interior cavity  22 , positioning a wedge member  80  relative to the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  to establish a window  82  through which the item extends and wedging the item between the wedge member  80  and the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  in the support configuration. The method may conclude with sealing the outer case member  14  in a closed configuration, such as, for example, by positioning closure panels  34   a ,  34   b  over the interior cavity  22  and securing the closure panels  34   a ,  34   b  in the closed configuration with adhesive, tape or other devices. Advantageously, sealing the outer case member  14  in the closed configuration may maintain the wedge member  80  in position relative to the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  to secure the item therebetween while the item is transported. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the collapsed configuration C of the outer case member  14  may be formed by cutting a blank of corrugated paperboard material to include a plurality of sidewall panels  30   a - d , a plurality of base panels  32   a - d , and a plurality of closure panels  34   a ,  34   b , which are foldably connected to each other to erect to form a generally rectangular outer case  40 ; attaching the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  to the blank of the outer case member  14  while in a substantially flat configuration; and then folding the outer case member about fold lines A, B; and securing end flange  36  to sidewall panel  30   d  with adhesive G 0  or other fastening devices, such as, for example, staples or tape. 
     To attach the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  to the blank of the outer case member  14 , the foot panel  60  of each partition member  12   a ,  12   b  may be fixedly coupled to a respective one of the plurality of base panels  32   a ,  32   b  of the outer case member  14 , such as, for example, by adhesive G 1  or other fastening devices. Similarly, the side panel  62  of each partition member  12   a ,  12   b  may be fixedly coupled to a respective one of the plurality of sidewall panels  30   a ,  30   b  of the outer case member  14 , such as, for example, with adhesive G 2  or other fastening devices. In this position, the upper panel  90  of one of the partition members  12   a  may overlie a portion of the closure panel  34   a  that is foldably coupled to the sidewall panel  30   a  to which the partition member  12   a  is attached. The partition members  12   a ,  12   b  may be attached to the outer case member  14  with the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  entirely within the outer profile of the folded outer case member  14 . 
     The partition members  12   a ,  12   b  may each be formed from a blank of corrugated paperboard material having the same thickness or a different thickness from that of the blank of the outer case member  14 . The maximum thickness of the container structure  10  in the splayed configuration S shown in  FIG. 1  may therefore be equal to the thickness of the blank of the outer case member  14  and the blank of a partition member  12   a ,  12   b , whereas the maximum thickness of the container structure  10  in the sleeve or collapsed configuration C shown in  FIG. 2  may be equal to twice the thickness of the outer case member  14  and the collective thickness of the blanks of the partition members  12   a ,  12   b . Due to the generally flat and relatively thin nature of the container structures  10  in the sleeve or collapsed configuration C shown in  FIG. 2 , a plurality of the container structures  10  can be conveniently stacked in the sleeve or collapsed configuration C for storage or shipment in bulk to remote locations, such as, for example, floral shops for subsequent erection and use in packaging and shipping delicate items, such as flowers, to customers. 
     As one of ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate, a recipient of a container  20  according to embodiments described herein will benefit from features of the same. For example, the recipient may quickly gain access to the items within the container  20  by removing a tear strip  94 , opening the closure panels  34   a ,  34   b  and lifting the upper panel  90  via the cutout  92  without requiring tools, such as scissors or a knife. Still further, the container  20  can be quickly broken down to the sleeve or collapsed configuration C shown in  FIG. 2  for recycling purposes. 
     Although the example embodiment of the container structures  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4  erect to form a generally elongated, rectangular container  20  that is partitioned about midway along a length thereof, it is appreciated that in other embodiments, an erected container may be provided having a different shape and may include a partition or partitions at other positions along a length thereof. Additionally, although the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  of the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 4  erect to form a butterfly-shaped support structure, it is appreciated that in other instances the partition members  12   a ,  12   b  may erect to create a support structure having other forms. 
     Moreover, the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.