Containment apparatus for shipping multiple computing devices

Abstract

In one embodiment, a containment apparatus includes a container that is adapted to receive multiple computing devices and inserts that are adapted to support the computing devices within the container so as to protect the computing devices during shipment.

1 . A containment apparatus, comprising: 
 a container that is adapted to receive multiple computing devices; and    inserts that are adapted to support the computing devices within the container so as to protect the computing devices during shipment.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container has a height dimension that is greater than width and depth dimensions of the container.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container is sized and configured to pass through a standard office doorway.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container includes an access panel that opens to provide access to an interior of the container.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the access panel extends approximately half of the length of the container.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container is made of corrugated cardboard.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inserts are made of shock-absorbing material.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inserts are made of at least one of polymeric foam material, thermoformed polymeric sheeting, molded polymeric foam, laminated corrugated paper board, and molded pulp.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an accessory box that fits within the container, the accessory box being adapted to receive and support accessories for use with the computing devices.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the accessory box is adapted to receive and support keyboards, mice, and power cords for use with the computing devices.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a closure that fits over the container to enclose the computing devices within the container.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising locking elements that lock the closure to the container.  
   
   
       13 . Containment apparatus for shipping multiple personal computers, the apparatus comprising: 
 a vertically-oriented container that is sized and configured to pass through a standard office doorway, the container having an access panel formed in a front wall of the container that provides access to an interior of the container;    a plurality of inserts that are adapted to be placed inside of the container, the inserts including notches that are adapted to receive personal computers to be shipped in the containment apparatus;    an accessory box that is adapted to be placed inside of the container above the personal computers, the accessory box being sized and configured to receive accessories associated with the personal computers;    a closure that is adapted to fit over and surround the container so as to enclose the contents of the container; and    locking elements that are adapted to lock the closure in place over the container.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the container, the accessory box, and the closure are made of corrugated cardboard.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the inserts are made of at least one of polymeric foam material, thermoformed polymeric sheeting, molded polymeric foam, laminated corrugated paper board, and molded pulp.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the notches of the inserts are adapted to receive corners of the personal computers.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the inserts comprise bottom inserts, middle inserts, and top inserts, the bottom inserts and the middle inserts together protecting a first set of personal computers, and the middle inserts and the top inserts together protecting a second set of personal computers.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the access panel is sized and configured such that a bottom of the accessory box can be viewed and accessed when the accessory box is packed in the container and the access panel is open.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising panel retainers that are adapted to secure the access panel in a closed position.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the panel retainers are adapted to slide along cut lines that define the access panel.  
   
   
       21 . A package, comprising: 
 a vertically-oriented container that is sized and configured to pass through a standard office doorway, the container having an access panel formed in a front wall of the container that provides access to an interior of the container;    a plurality of personal computers contained within the container;    a plurality of foam inserts contained within the container, the inserts supporting the personal computers such that the personal computers only contact the inserts within the container;    an accessory box contained within the container on top of foam inserts above the personal computers, the accessory box containing keyboards, mice, and power cords associated with the personal computers;    a closure that surrounds the container so as to enclose the personal computers within the container; and    locking elements that lock the closure in place over the container.    
   
   
       22 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein the container, the accessory box, and the closure are made of corrugated cardboard.  
   
   
       23 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein the inserts comprise bottom inserts, middle inserts, and top inserts, the bottom inserts and the middle inserts together protecting a first set of the personal computers, and the middle inserts and the top inserts together protecting a second set of the personal computers.  
   
   
       24 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein the access panel is sized and configured such that a bottom of the accessory box can be viewed and accessed when the access panel is open to facilitate removal of the accessory box.  
   
   
       25 . The package of  claim 21 , further comprising panel retainers that secure the access panel in a closed position.  
   
   
       26 . The package of  claim 25 , wherein the panel retainers are positioned along cut lines that define the access panel.  
   
   
       27 . A panel retainer, comprising: 
 a central member that is adapted to fit within a space formed by a cut line provided in a package wall;    a front member that is connected to one end of the central member;    a rear member that is connected to an other end of the central member such that the front and rear members oppose each other and the panel retainer has a generally I-shaped cross-section;    wherein when the panel retainer is inserted along a cut line of a package wall that defines an access panel, the front member abuts a front side of the package wall and the rear member abuts a back side of the package wall such that the access panel is retained in a closed position.    
   
   
       28 . The retainer of  claim 27 , wherein the front and rear members comprise wings that extend outward from the central member.  
   
   
       29 . The retainer of  claim 27 , wherein the retainer is unitarily formed from a polymeric material.  
   
   
       30 . A method for shipping multiple computing devices, the method comprising: 
 packing multiple computing devices in a corrugated cardboard container having a height dimension that is larger than width and depth dimensions of the container;    supporting the computing devices within the container using shock-absorbing inserts;    packing accessories associated with the computing devices in an accessory box that fits within the container;    enclosing the container with a closure that at least partially surrounds the container; and    shipping the enclosed container.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the computing devices comprise personal computers.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein packing multiple computing devices comprises packing at least four computing devices in the container.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein packing multiple computing devices comprises packing at least eight computing devices in the container.  
   
   
       34 . A system for shipping multiple computers, the system comprising: 
 means for containing multiple computers, the means for containing having a height dimension that is larger than its width and depth dimensions;    means for supporting the computers within the means for containing;    means for containing accessories associated with the computers within the means for containing multiple computers; and    means for enclosing the means for containing.    
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the means for containing multiple computers comprise a corrugated cardboard box.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the means for supporting the computers comprise shock-absorbing, foam inserts.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the means for containing accessories comprise an accessory box that fits within the means for containing multiple computers.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the means for enclosing comprises a corrugated cardboard closure.