Shipping container

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention provides an insert for receiving and securely retaining an article. The insert includes a base section, a lid section and a ribbed hinge section that couples the base section with the lid section. The base section receives the article and includes a plurality of corners. The base section includes a plurality of elevated portions and a recessed portion. The plurality of elevated portions are positioned adjacent to the plurality of corners of the base section, and each of the plurality of elevated portions include a locking mechanism that are configured to selectively couple the lid section to the base section to retain the article between the base section and the lid section.

1 . A shipping container for receiving and securely retaining at least one article comprising:
 an insert comprising a single paperboard sheet;   said insert further comprising a plurality of folds, at least one locking mechanism, and at least one pair of opposing bores defined therein adapted to receive and retain said at least one article; and   a paperboard box adapted to receive and securely retain said insert.   
   
   
       2 . A method of forming an insert from a single paperboard sheet, said paperboard sheet having a plurality of folds, at least one locking mechanism, and at least one pair of opposing bores defined therein adapted to receive and retain said at least one article comprising the steps of:
 folding said single paperboard sheet in starting from the outside edges;   engaging the locking mechanism into a locked position;   loading said at least one article into a first bore of said at least one pair of bores on a first receiving side; and   folding a second receiving side over said first receiving side thereby inserting said at least one article into a second bore of said at least one pair of bores thereby forming said insert.   
   
   
       3 . An insert for receiving and securely retaining an article, the insert comprising:
 a base section for receiving the article, said base section including a plurality of corners;   a lid section; and   a ribbed hinge section coupling said base section with said lid section,   wherein said base section includes a plurality of elevated portions and a recessed portion, wherein said plurality of elevated portions are positioned adjacent to said plurality of corners of said base section, and wherein each of said plurality of elevated portions include a locking mechanism that are configured to selectively couple said lid section to said base section to retain the article between said base section and said lid section.   
   
   
       4 . The insert for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 3  wherein said locking mechanism comprises:
 a locking tab extending outwardly from at least one of said plurality of elevated portions; and   a slot formed in said lid section, wherein said locking tab is configured to be selectively positioned within said slot.   
   
   
       5 . The insert for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 4  wherein said locking tab extends outwardly from a top wall of said plurality of elevated portions. 
   
   
       6 . The insert for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 3  wherein each of said plurality of elevated portions include inner walls that are configured to engage the article to limit lateral movement of the article within said base section. 
   
   
       7 . The insert for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 3  further comprising at least one damping protrusion projecting outwardly from an inner surface of said lid section, wherein said at least one damping protrusion engages the article when said lid section and said base section are in a locked position. 
   
   
       8 . The insert for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 3  wherein the article is a data cartridge. 
   
   
       9 . The article for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 8  wherein said data cartridge is at least one of a LTO Ultrium data cartridge, a DLT® data cartridge, a 3592 data cartridge, and a 3590 data cartridge. 
   
   
       10 . The insert for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 3  wherein at least one of said base section, said lid section, and said hinge section is formed of a thermally molded plastic material. 
   
   
       11 . The insert for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 3  wherein at least one of said plurality of elevated portions are L-shaped. 
   
   
       12 . The insert for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 3  wherein said base section includes four corners. 
   
   
       13 . An insert for receiving and securely retaining an article, the insert comprising:
 a base section for receiving the article, said base section including a plurality of corners;   a lid section;   a ribbed hinge section coupling said base section with said lid section; and   locking means for selectively coupling said lid section to said base section to retain the article between said base section and said lid section,   wherein said base section includes a plurality of elevated portions and a recessed portion, wherein said plurality of elevated portions are positioned adjacent to said plurality corners of said base section and are in contact with the article.   
   
   
       14 . The insert for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 13  wherein each of said plurality of elevated portions include inner walls that are configured to engage the article to limit lateral movement of the article within said base section. 
   
   
       15 . The insert for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 13  further comprising damping means that engages the article when said lid section and said base section are in a locked position. 
   
   
       16 . The insert for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 13  wherein the article is a data cartridge. 
   
   
       17 . The article for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 16  wherein said data cartridge is at least one of a LTO Ultrium data cartridge, a DLT® data cartridge, a 3592 data cartridge, and a 3590 data cartridge. 
   
   
       18 . The insert for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 13  wherein at least one of said base section, said lid section, and said hinge section is formed of a thermally molded plastic material. 
   
   
       19 . The insert for receiving and securely retaining an article of  claim 13  wherein said base section includes four corners. 
   
   
       20 . A method of packaging an article for shipping, the method comprising:
 providing a base section including a plurality of elevated portions and a recessed portion, wherein said plurality of elevated portions are positioned adjacent to a plurality of corners of said base section, and wherein a locking tab extends outwardly from at least one of said plurality of elevated portions;   providing a lid section coupled with said base section by a ribbed hinge section, wherein a slot is formed in said lid section;   inserting an article with said recessed position so that the article is in contact with said plurality of elevated portions; and   selectively engaging said locking tab within said slot so that the article is securely positioned between said base section and said lid section.   
   
   
       21 . The method of packaging an article for shipping of  claim 20  wherein each of said plurality of elevated portions include inner walls that engage the article to limit lateral movement of the article within said base section. 
   
   
       22 . The method of packaging an article for shipping of  claim 20  further comprising providing at least one damping protrusion projecting outwardly from an inner surface of said lid section, wherein said at least one damping protrusion engages the article when said lid section and said base section are selectively engaged. 
   
   
       23 . The method of packaging an article for shipping of  claim 20  wherein said base section, said lid section, and said hinge section form an insert, and wherein said insert and said article contained within said insert are positioned within a shipping container. 
   
   
       24 . The method of packaging an article for shipping of  claim 23  wherein said shipping container includes a tamper evident security seal. 
   
   
       25 . The method of packaging an article for shipping of  claim 23  wherein said shipping container is configured to hold at least five inserts.