Shipping and storage container for laptop computers

Abstract

A shipping and storage container for laptop computers or the like, which may include a one (1) piece exterior portion, preferably fabricated from corrugated cardboard, an inner protective bottom support and an inner protective side support, and an inner protective top support, all of the protective supports preferably being fabricated from a material which provides cushioning and protection, most preferably a protective foam type material. The one (1) piece outer container is preferably fabricated from a die cut blank of corrugated cardboard. The protective side support may be formed of a single piece blank, and may additionally include removable portions that are used to adjust the protective side support.

1 . A shipping and storage container assembly, comprising: 
 a container having an open top, which is selectively closed by a cover; and,    at least one protective side support having an opening therein,    wherein the protective side support has at least one partially cutout or perforated portion that is selectively removable to vary the size of the opening.    
   
   
       2 . The container assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a protective bottom support.    
   
   
       3 . The container assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the density of the protective side support is greater than the density of the protective bottom support.  
   
   
       4 . The container assembly as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the density of the protective side support is approximately 1.2 to 2 pounds per cubic foot and the density of the protective bottom support is approximately 1 pound per cubic foot.  
   
   
       5 . The container assembly as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the protective bottom support comprises polyurethane foam and the protective side support comprises polyethylene foam.  
   
   
       6 . The container assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the protective bottom support comprises polyurethane foam and the protective side support comprises polyethylene foam.  
   
   
       7 . The container assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a protective top support.    
   
   
       8 . The container assembly as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the top support is selectively attached to the cover.  
   
   
       9 . The container assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein, 
 the protective side support is comprised of a generally U-shaped foam member that comprises three sides of the opening, and a straight foam member that comprises one side of the opening;    the U-shaped foam member is cut from a single-piece foam blank; and wherein,    the portion of the foam blank that is removed to form the U-shaped member forms the straight foam member.    
   
   
       10 . The container assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the removed rectangular portion is substantially divided and unfolded to form the second piece of foam side support.  
   
   
       11 . The container assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the protective side support includes portions on at least two sides of the opening that are selectively removable to vary the size of the opening.  
   
   
       12 . The container assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cover is integral with the container.  
   
   
       13 . A method of packaging an article in a shipping container, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a container having an open top and a protective side support for the article, wherein the protective side support includes at least one partially cutout or perforated portion that is selectively removable;    selectively removing at least one of the partially cutout or perforated portions to provide an article-receiving portion of a predetermined size; and,    inserting the article in the article-receiving portion.    
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing a protective bottom support within the container.    
   
   
       15 . A shipping and storage container assembly, comprising: 
 an exterior housing formed into an open top container, which is selectively closed by a cover;    at least one protective bottom support formed of a polyurethane foam having a first density; and,    at least one protective side support having an opening therein and formed of a polyethylene foam having a second density greater than the first density,    wherein the protective bottom support is adapted to cushion an article on a downward-facing surface when positioned in the container, and the protective side support is adapted to cushion the article on its sides when positioned in the container.    
   
   
       16 . The shipping and storage container assembly as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the protective side support comprises a polyethylene foam having a density of approximately 1.2 to 2 pounds per cubic foot and the protective bottom support comprises a polyurethane foam having a density of approximately 1 pound per cubic foot.  
   
   
       17 . The shipping and storage container assembly as recited in  claim 15 , wherein, 
 the protective side support is comprised of a generally U-shaped foam member that comprises three sides of the opening, and a straight foam member that comprises one side of the opening;    the U-shaped foam member is cut from a single-piece foam blank; and wherein,    the portion of the foam blank that is removed to form the U-shaped member forms the straight foam member.    
   
   
       18 . The shipping and storage container assembly as recited in  claim 15 , wherein, 
 the protective side support includes at least one partially cutout or perforated portion that is selectively removable to vary the size of the protective side support.    
   
   
       19 . The shipping and storage container assembly as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the cutout or perforated portion that selectively removable varies the size of the opening.  
   
   
       20 . The shipping and storage container assembly as recited in  claim 15 , wherein, 
 the protective side support further comprises a second partially cutout or perforated portion that is selectively removable to form a second opening that receives accessory items.