Packaging System

Abstract

A packaging system including a corrugated cardboard box having a vertical compartmented insert nested within the box, wherein the first vertical compartmented insert comprises a rectangular vertical array of interior dividing walls to form rectangular compartments. The insert comprises a back-to-back long support insert extending along a length of the corrugated cardboard box to form a longitudinal vertical wall, the long support insert having interlocking cutouts. A plurality of pairs of short support inserts, assembled back-to-back and each having interlocking cutouts that register with the cutouts of the long support insert are arrayed perpendicularly to the pair of long support inserts to form a plurality of lateral walls. The long support inserts and the short support inserts create vertical walls with compartments there between.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTechnical Field[0001]The present invention relates to a packaging system and corrugated cardboard packaging box with inserts used for shipping goods. Specifically, the invention relates to a set of components used in a corrugated cardboard box that compartmentalize the box into weight bearing compartments, thus allowing for the simultaneous packaging within the box of items having disparate shapes, sizes, and density. This creates a unique ability to ship light and fragile products with heavy products.Description of Related Art[0002]Retail online purchasing by consumers has exploded over recent years. Consumer goods of all types can now be ordered online and shipped directly to the consumer. The means for shipping such product is typically a corrugated box in which the product ordered is placed, along with dunnage (such as filler paper, plastic bubble wrap, styrofoam pieces, etc.), which is used to protect the product from damage during shipping. Shipping ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a packaging system that includes a corrugated cardboard box with components inside that divide the interior of the box into various compartments. The double layered construction creates a stronger packaging system that is more resistant to externally applied crush forces. The long support insert, when deployed in the container, has side panels at each end in a T-formation such that each side panel has an outboard edge that abuts against a longitudinal side wall, while the flat outer surface of the side panels urge against an opposed lateral wall. This structural arrangement imparts improved strength and rigidity to the compartmentalized box.

Problems solved by technology

However, an emerging retail grocery market available through online ordering and delivery to the consumer presents challenges to this standard shipping method.

The model of offering grocery items to a consumer through online sale and shipped delivery poses unique challenges and problems.

Many grocery items don't combine well in a single box.

In fact, some models for online grocery shopping limit the consumer to the filling of a single box per order based on the weight and cubic size of the order.

However, unless the box maintains the same orientation throughout the entire shipping process, the heavier items on the bottom of the box will at some point crush the pillow bags placed at the top of the box.

This usually results in rupturing of the bags and crushing of the food product found within the pillow bags.

However, the prior art usage of a compartmented insert does not provide the flexibility that an open box with dunnage provides in accommodating product of various sizes and shapes.

Further, the prior art design adds considerable corrugated material to a shipping container thus adding to the cost and weight of the container.

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