Receptacles – Compartmented container – Compartment partition is movable or removable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-29
2001-03-20
Pollard, Steven (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Compartmented container
Compartment partition is movable or removable
C220S006000, C206S583000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202884
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to collapsible shipping containers and, more specifically, to a collapsible shipping container designed or adapted to retain collapsible interior dunnage and partition systems within the collapsed shipping container itself for a return shipment or storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of reusable shipping containers has become a practice in industry for several reasons. First, reusable containers are sturdy and provide a high level of protection to shipped items compared to the customary, corrugated fiberboard containers. Second, the lifetime cost per use is generally less for a reusable shipping container. Third, environmental considerations weigh in favor of reusable containers which require less frequent replacement and offer various recycling options.
Return shipments of collapsible reusable shipping containers to the originating shipper are more economical and efficient than non-collapsible units. Collapsing the shipping container to a fraction of its erected size allows a more dense load to be shipped, as it may cost no more to ship three to four times the number of collapsed containers than to ship a lesser number in an erected condition. This is particularly true if the freight charge is calculated, not by weight, but either on a truck load basis or on a set volume of freight.
For those items requiring individual packaging during shipment and handling, collapsible shipping containers as previously designed have not been an advantageous choice. A major problem with current collapsible shipping containers is the separate interior dunnage itself, dividers and separators. This has been true whether shipment is made to assembly operations, between locations within a single facility, or over distances as from a supplier to a manufacturer.
One handling problem with conventional dunnage is that the dunnage or internal packaging must be removed from a shipping container and disassembled or collapsed separately, or it becomes an obstacle and interferes with the collapsing of the collapsible shipping container. Once removed, the conventional dunnage is no longer a part of the container assembly, requires separate handling, shipment and accounting and, further, is subject to loss or damage. Thus, the advantages of the collapsible, reusable shipping container for shipments of unpackaged items diminish with the handling requirements for the currently designed separate dunnage. Moreover, once removed and shipped as a separate item, dunnage consumes space in the return shipment and reduces return shipment efficiencies.
Dunnage in the form of corrugated fiberboard orthogonally interdigitated dividers, left assembled and collapsed, typically collapse to a dimension larger than the footprint of its collapsible shipping container and create additional handling problems. Completely disassembled, these dividers compound the problem of return shipment and require disassembly and re-assembly labor. In the instance of conductive or conductively coated dunnage for shipment of electronic circuit boards and circuits having electrostatic discharge sensitive components, separate handling of the collapsed interlocked dunnage tends to degrade those properties which are responsible for protection against electrostatic discharge damage to electronic circuit boards.
These and other shortcomings can prevent efficient and cost effective use of collapsible reusable shipping containers for shipping fragile items requiring separation and protection from incidental contact during shipping and handling.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to protect items shipped in a collapsible shipping container by means of dunnage which itself is enclosed within the collapsible shipping container and is erect for usage or in a collapsed state.
It is another object of the invention to provide collapsible interior dunnage which remains within its collapsible shipping container during container usage or return shipment.
It is a further object of the invention to render a collapsible shipping container usable for shipping fragile items which ordinarily require protective packaging without individually packaging the items.
It is still another object of the invention to improve the usability of collapsible shipping containers.
It is a still further object of the invention to improve the efficiency of use of collapsible shipping containers.
It is an additional object of the invention to reduce the shipping expense of collapsible shipping containers and associated dunnage as well as any associated labor savings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to incorporate dividers or dunnage into a collapsible shipping container in a manner to insure at all times the association of the dunnage with its container yet not to impede the collapse of the container for return shipment, a collapsible shipping container is provided with at least a pair of channels in the top frame attached to the top edges of the four side walls of the container. These channels, disposed in the top frame sides that are opposed to each other, support and retain support rods with flanges on their ends.
Rods spanning the opposed top frame side channels, and the collapsible shipping container interior together support a preferably flexible material forming a hanging pouch or pouches for receiving individual items to be shipped and for protecting each item from contact with another item. Preventing contact between items protects them from damage during shipping and handling.
The hanging pouch may extend substantially across the container interior to accept a single item or may be divided longitudinally and arranged with laterally extending dividers or curtains suspended from rods supported by a pair of opposing channels disposed in orthogonal segments of the frame. This arrangement creates a plurality of small pouches for supporting and isolating smaller items.
Whenever the curtains are used, the curtain supporting rods should be preferably disposed below the rods supporting the material forming the hanging pouches.
The dunnage may be replaced as worn or damaged with use and can be changed to accommodate changes in items shipped, thus making the shipping container more beneficial.
These dunnage arrangements lend themselves to easy collapse and erection plus remain confined in and directly associated with the container during all phases of use and shipment in order that the dunnage is not lost or separated from its container which would significantly reduce their utility.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4775069 (1988-10-01), Stonier
patent: 5211290 (1993-05-01), Janus et al.
patent: 5725119 (1998-03-01), Bradford et al.
patent: 5881895 (1999-03-01), Linnell
International Business Machines - Corporation
Letson Laurence R.
Pollard Steven
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