High density packaging system

Abstract

Apparatus for high density packaging system for a floating water quality system. The packaging system includes a body and a pair of end caps. The body has an octagonal shape that receives the components of the water quality system. The octagonal shape increases the packing density compared to square or rectangular packaging sized to contain the floating water quality system. The end caps cover the open ends of the body. The packaging system includes a spool that receives a cable wound around a hub and a power supply inside the hub. A disc-shaped float fits adjacent the spool and fits snugly inside said body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for a high density packaging system, said apparatus comprising:
 a body having an octagonal shape, said body having a top that is open and a bottom that is open, said body having eight panels joined together between said top and said bottom;   a first end cap configured to engage said bottom of said body, said first end cap including a first cap and eight first sidewalls, said first cap covering said bottom;   a second end cap configured to engage said top of said body, said second end cap including a second cap and eight second sidewalls, said second cap covering said top, said body, said first end cap, and said second end cap define a first container;   a spool having a pair of flanges on opposite ends of a hub, said hub having a cylindrical shape, said hub receiving a disc-shaped spacer, said spool receiving a length of cable wound around said hub, said spool positioned inside said body, said spool fitting inside said body snugly such that at least one of pair of flanges is in contact with more than one of said eight panels; and   a float having a disc-shape, said float having a diameter substantially the same as the distance between parallel ones of said eight panels, said float fitting inside said body snugly.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a first box containing an underwater device and a second box sized and dimensioned to fill a volume adjacent said first box when said first and second boxes are positioned in said body. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a power supply positioned inside said hub. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said hub of said spool is sized to receive at least a part of an underwater device. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a second container, a third container, a fourth container, and a fifth container all substantially the same as said first container, whereby said first, second, third, and fourth containers are positioned on a pallet in a rectilinear pattern with said fifth container positioned centrally between said first, second, third, and fourth containers, whereby said first, second, third, fourth, and fifth containers frictionally engage said fifth container. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for a high density packaging system that contains a product with a cylindrical shape, said apparatus comprising:
 a body having a top that is open and a bottom that is open, said body having at least eight panels joined together between said top and said bottom, parallel ones of said at least eight panels define a gap that is at least the same as a diameter of the cylindrical shape of the product;   a first end cap configured to engage said bottom of said body, said first end cap including a first cap and at least eight first sidewalls, said first cap covering said bottom;   a second end cap configured to engage said top of said body, said second end cap including a second cap and at least eight second sidewalls, said second cap covering said top, said body, said first end cap, and said second end cap define a container; and   a spool having a pair of flanges on opposite ends of a hub, said hub having a cylindrical shape, said hub receiving a disc-shaped spacer, whereby said spool is configured to receive a cable that is wound around said hub.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said body is formed from a planar sheet with a plurality of lines of weakness separating said eight panels, said planar sheet includes an end tab that is affixed to one of said eight panels at an opposite end of said planar sheet. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said at least eight panels number sixteen panels whereby said body has sixteen sides. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said first and second end caps are each formed from a planar sheet with a plurality of lines of weakness separating a cap section from a plurality of sidewalls. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the product with the cylindrical shape includes the cable wound around said hub. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the product with the cylindrical shape includes a float that has a disc-shape. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for a high density packaging system that contains a product with a cylindrical shape, said apparatus comprising:
 a container having at least eight sides, a flat top, and a flat bottom; and   a spool inside said container, said spool dimensioned to fit between said at least eight sides with minimal lateral movement therebetween.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the product with the cylindrical shape includes a float that has a disc-shape, said float positioned inside said container with a snug fit. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said container includes a body having a top that is open and a bottom that is open, a first end cap configured to engage said bottom of said body, and a second end cap configured to engage said top of said body. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said spool includes a pair of flanges on opposite ends of a hub  310 , said hub having a cylindrical shape, said hub receiving a disc-shaped spacer, whereby said spool is configured to receive a cable that is wound around said hub.