Container for shipping a plurality of articles

Abstract

A container is provided for shipping and/or storing a plurality of articles, such as computer system components (for example, computer keyboards), wherein the plurality of articles are packaged within the container efficiently so as to keep the individual articles in spaced relation to one another. A container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body portion and at least one partition removably received by an interior space of the main body portion such that the partition remains in a fixed location within the interior space of the main body portion until removed therefrom. The partition is formed from a blank and is shaped so as to at least partially surround the article, thereby protecting same from damage during shipping and/or storage.

1 . A container for shipping items, comprising: 
 a main body portion having an interior space defined by a plurality of sidewalls;    at least one partition removably positionable within said interior space of said main body portion, said at least one partition being adapted to engage at least one sidewall of said main body portion to positively position said partition within said interior space;    wherein said partition defines at least two compartments within said interior space of said main body portion.    
     
     
         2 . The container according to  claim 1 , said plurality of sidewalls including a first sidewall defined by a first sidewall panel and a first interior endwall panel, and wherein said partition is adapted to engage said first interior endwall panel of said first sidewall.  
     
     
         3 . The container according to  claim 2 , said first interior endwall panel having at least one slot for receiving a portion of said partition therein.  
     
     
         4 . The container according to  claim 3 , said partition having at least one slot for receiving said a portion of said first interior endwall therein, said at least one slot of said partition mating with said at least one slot of said first interior endwall panel to positively locate an end of said partition within said interior space of said main body portion.  
     
     
         5 . The container according to  claim 3 , said first interior endwall panel having a plurality of slots spaced therealong.  
     
     
         6 . The container according to  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of slots are spaced equidistantly along said first interior endwall panel.  
     
     
         7 . The container according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one partition includes a plurality of partitions, and wherein each of said plurality of slots in said first interior endwall panel is adapted to receive one of said plurality of partitions.  
     
     
         8 . The container according to  claim 7 , wherein each partition includes a plurality of divider panels, and wherein each divider panel of each partition is adapted to be received by one of said plurality of slots in said first interior endwall.  
     
     
         9 . The container according to  claim 5 , wherein said partition includes a first divider panel and a second divider panel, and wherein said plurality of slots in said first interior endwall panel includes a first slot adapted to receive said first divider panel and a second slot adapted to receive said second divider panel.  
     
     
         10 . The container according to  claim 9 , wherein said first divider panel is attached to said second divider panel by a shelf portion.  
     
     
         11 . The container according to  claim 10 , wherein said second divider panel includes a first popout extension flap.  
     
     
         12 . The container according to  claim 11 , wherein said first popout extension flap extends from said shelf portion of said second divider panel.  
     
     
         13 . The container according to  claim 11 , wherein said first divider panel includes a second popout extension flap.  
     
     
         14 . The container according to  claim 2 , said partition having at least one slot for receiving said a portion of said first interior endwall therein.  
     
     
         15 . The container according to  claim 2 , wherein said first interior endwall panel is attached to said first sidewall panel by a bridge segment.  
     
     
         16 . The container according to  claim 2 , said plurality of sidewalls further including a second sidewall defined by a second sidewall panel and a second interior endwall panel, and wherein said partition is adapted to engage both said first interior endwall panel of said first sidewall and said second interior endwall panel of said second sidewall.