Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – Compartmented
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-24
2001-05-29
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
Compartmented
C229S167000, C229S121000, C229S150000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237842
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to packaging, and in particular to boxes used to ship and display electronic circuit boards.
2. Description of Related Art
Various types of boxes are in use for shipping and displaying electronic circuit boards and related parts. Typically, since the boxes require multiple compartments, the boxes are made from multiple pieces of material. While use of multiple pieces of material results in a useful box, the multiple pieces require costly and difficult processes to construct the box. In addition, a sleeve is typically placed around the box. Information concerning the product contained in the box is printed on the sleeve.
There are several examples of one-piece containers in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,090 entitled “One Piece Double Shell Box with Closure Fastener” of Cortellucci issued on Oct. 21, 1986 discloses a one piece shoe box
100
(FIGS.
1
A and
1
B). In a closed position, box
100
is a single large compartment that is held together by a lid
105
. When lid
105
is lifted, box
100
unfolds to form two compartments
101
and
102
. However, it is in only the open unfolded state that two compartments exist.
Another example of a one piece box is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,675, entitled “One Piece Interlocking Outfold Container” of von Gnechten et al. issued on Dec. 18, 1984 discloses another one compartment box
200
(FIG.
2
A).
FIG. 2B
illustrates the flat cardboard cutout used to construct box
200
.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,323,958, 5,588,583, 5,332,148, 5,326,017 and 4,919,269 show different one-piece containers with multiple compartments. However, none of these containers is suitable for use with an electronic circuit board and related components. Hence, a one-piece box having multiple compartments that permit easy access and viewing of an electronic circuit board and related parts would be desirable. The one-piece box preferably would have sufficient strength and rigidity to allow shipping and stacking of the packed boxes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the principles of this invention, a one-piece container includes an interior wall having first and second sides. An exterior end wall of the one-piece container is separated from and substantially parallel to the interior wall. A plurality of exterior side walls of the one-piece container are oriented to define a first storage compartment bounded by the interior surfaces of the plurality of side walls, the first side of the interior wall, and an interior surface of the exterior end wall.
Second and third storage compartments of the one-piece container are defined by a shelf extending from the second surface of the interior wall, and perpendicular to the interior wall.
Another interior wall of the one-piece container also has first and second sides. Another exterior end wall of the one-piece container is separated from and substantially parallel to the another interior wall. The interior surfaces of the plurality of side walls, the first side of the another interior wall, and an interior surface of the another exterior end wall bound a fourth storage compartment of the one-piece container.
In one embodiment, the interior wall is a vertical section of a channel-beam structure. Similarly, the another interior wall is a vertical section of another channel-beam structure. The shelf is coupled to both of the channel-beam structures.
The one-piece container also includes a box beam that extends between the two channel-beam structures and includes a portion of the shelf as one wall of the box beam. The interior volume of the box beam is yet another compartment in the box. In addition to defining the various compartments, the channel-beam structures and the box beam provide rigidity and strength to the box. Also, three strips are each glued to a different side wall of the box to provide additional strength and rigidity. All of the components in the box are formed from a single piece of die-cut material.
In another embodiment, the one-piece container includes a first side wall; a first end wall extending from, and substantially perpendicular to the first side wall; a second end wall parallel to and separated from the first end wall, and extending from, and substantially perpendicular to the first side wall; a second side wall extending from, and substantially perpendicular to the first side wall, and perpendicular to the first and second end walls; and a box beam extending along and connected to the second side wall wherein the box beam, and the first and second end walls, the first and second side walls, and the box beam are formed from the one piece. An interior volume of the box beam is a first compartment of the one-piece container.
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Adaptec, Inc.
Gunnison McKay & Hodgson, L.L.P.
Hodgson Serge J.
Mai Tri M.
Shoap Allan N.
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