Insert for a rectilinear container and a rectilinear container including an insert

Abstract

An insert for a rectilinear container having side walls, a bottom wall, and upper end panels defining an inner chamber includes a corrugated cardboard insert configured to secure at least one item within the inner chamber and provide cushioning thereto. There is a first panel having a bottom panel portion, a first side panel portion, and a second side panel portion. The bottom, first side and second side panel portions including a plurality of laterally corresponding parallel spaced ridges and channels. Interfaces between the bottom and side panels being pivotable such that the side panels can pivot at an angle relative to the bottom panel. When the insert is inserted into a rectilinear container, the bottom panel portion contacts a bottom wall of the container, the side panel portions pivot to a generally perpendicular angle relative the bottom panel portion to contact the side wall portion of the container to secure and cushion an item placed therein.

1 . An insert for a rectilinear container having side walls, a bottom wall, and upper end panels defining an inner chamber, comprising a corrugated cardboard insert configured to secure at least one item within the inner chamber and provide cushioning thereto, including a first panel having a bottom panel portion, a first side panel portion, and a second side panel portion, the bottom, first side and second side panel portions including a plurality of laterally corresponding parallel spaced ridges and channels, interfaces between the bottom and side panels being pivotable such that the side panels can pivot at an angle relative to the bottom panel, whereby when the insert is inserted into a rectilinear container, the bottom panel portion contacts a bottom wall of the container, the side panel portions pivot to a generally perpendicular angle relative the bottom panel portion to contact the side wall portion of the container to secure and cushion an item placed therein. 
     
     
         2 . The insert as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each ridge of the bottom and side panel portions integrally extend from the first side panel portion, across the bottom panel portion, to the second side panel portion. 
     
     
         3 . The insert as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the ridges have a uniform length defined by a distance between an outer edge of the first panel portion and an outer edge of the second panel portion. 
     
     
         4 . The insert as defined in  claim 3 , the at least one corrugated cardboard panel insert further including front and rear panel portions pivotably connected with the bottom panel portion, each ridge and channel of the front and rear panel portions being arranged in parallel spaced relation relative to the ridges of the bottom and side panel portions. 
     
     
         5 . The insert as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the pivotable interface between the side and bottom panel portions is arranged along the ridges in a direction that is transverse to the length of the ridges. 
     
     
         6 . The insert as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the front and rear panel portions are pivotable about interfaces between the front and rear panel portions and the bottom panel portion, respectively, the interfaces being arranged along a length of a channel. 
     
     
         7 . The insert as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the channels of the side panel portions and bottom panel portion are separated to define a space therebetween, whereby when the side panel portions are pivoted to an angle relative the bottom panel portion, a distance between side and bottom panel adjacent edges increases. 
     
     
         8 . The insert as defined in  claim 7 , and further including a second panel having a length and width generally equal to a length and width of the first panel bottom panel portion. 
     
     
         9 . The insert as defined in  claim 8 , wherein when the first panel is inserted into a rectilinear container and the side panel portions are pivoted at an angle relative to the bottom panel portion, a distance between outer edges of the first and second side panel portions is generally equal to the width of the second panel. 
     
     
         10 . A rectilinear container including an insert, comprising:
 a. a container body having side walls, a bottom wall, and upper end panels defining an inner chamber; and   b. a corrugated cardboard insert configured to secure at least one item within the inner chamber and provide cushioning thereto, including a first panel having a bottom panel portion, a first side panel portion, and a second side panel portion, the bottom, first side and second side panel portions including a plurality of laterally corresponding parallel spaced ridges and channels, interfaces between the bottom and side panels being pivotable such that the side panels can pivot at an angle relative to the bottom panel, whereby when the insert is inserted into a rectilinear container, the bottom panel portion contacts a bottom wall of the container, the side panel portions pivot to a generally perpendicular angle relative the bottom panel portion to contact the side wall portion of the container to secure and cushion an item placed therein.   
     
     
         11 . The rectilinear container as defined in  claim 10 , wherein each ridge of the bottom and side panel portions of the insert integrally extend from the first side panel portion, across the bottom panel portion, to the second side panel portion. 
     
     
         12 . The rectilinear container as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the ridges have a uniform length defined by a distance between an outer edge of the first panel portion and an outer edge of the second panel portion. 
     
     
         13 . The rectilinear container as defined in  claim 12 , the at least one corrugated cardboard panel insert further including front and rear panel portions pivotably connected with the bottom panel portion, each ridge and channel of the front and rear panel portions being arranged in parallel spaced relation relative to the ridges of the bottom and side panel portions. 
     
     
         14 . The rectilinear container as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the pivotable interface between the side and bottom panel portions of the insert is arranged along the ridges in a direction that is transverse to the length of the ridges. 
     
     
         15 . The rectilinear container as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the front and rear panel portions of the insert are pivotable about interfaces between the front and rear panel portions and the bottom panel portion, respectively, the interfaces being arranged along a length of a channel. 
     
     
         16 . The rectilinear container as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the channels of the side panel portions and bottom panel portion of the insert are separated to define a space therebetween, whereby when the side panel portions are pivoted to an angle relative the bottom panel portion, a distance between side and bottom panel adjacent edges increases. 
     
     
         17 . The rectilinear container as defined in  claim 16 , the insert further including a second panel having a length and width generally equal to a length and width of the first panel bottom panel portion. 
     
     
         18 . The rectilinear container as defined in  claim 17 , wherein when the first panel of the insert is inserted into a rectilinear container and the side panel portions are pivoted at an angle relative to the bottom panel portion, a distance between outer edges of the first and second side panel portions is generally equal to the width of the second panel.