Shipping container

Abstract

A container for stackable articles includes a base assembly, a plurality of side assemblies, a top assembly, and a plurality of shelf assemblies. The base assembly, side assemblies, and top assembly are preferably constructed of a multiple layer, corrugated laminate, and are attachable to one another, defining an interior storage space. Each shelf assembly includes a plurality of shelf support members with a plurality of bearing portions adjacent and integral to each shelf support member. A plurality of shelf members are provided, wherein each shelf member is fixed about a respective bearing portion at each end of the shelf assembly. The shelf assemblies are secured to the sidewall assemblies, and positioned in the storage space to engage manufactured articles, for example sunroofs, positioned therein.

1 . A container for shipping and storing manufactured articles, said container comprising: 
 a container body having a base assembly and a plurality of wall assemblies, wherein each of said plurality of wall assemblies includes a wall panel with a lower edge attached to said base assembly, and at least one lateral edge joined to an adjacent wall assembly;    at least one shelf assembly secured to at least one of said wall assemblies and protruding into an interior of said container body, said at least one shelf assembly including a first shelf support member and a second shelf support member for supporting at least one shelf member;    a first shelf member comprising a first end and a second end, a first tab at said first end, a second tab at said second end, a first flap, and a first aperture;    a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion integral to said first shelf support member for support of said at least one shelf member, said first and second bearing portions defining a first slot, said first tab fixed within said first slot; and    a third bearing portion and a fourth bearing portion integral to said second shelf support member for support of said at least one shelf member, said third and fourth bearing portions defining a second slot, said second tab fixed within said second slot.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a second shelf assembly secured to at least one of said wall assemblies and protruding into an interior of said container body across from said first shelf assembly, said second shelf assembly including a third shelf support member and a fourth shelf support member for supporting said at least one shelf member;    a second shelf member comprising a third end corresponding to said first end of said first shelf member, and a fourth end corresponding to said second end of said first shelf member, a third tab at said third end, a fourth tab at said fourth end, a second flap, and a second aperture;    a fifth bearing portion and a sixth bearing portion integral to said third shelf support member for support of said first shelf member, said fifth and sixth bearing portions defining a third slot, said third tab fixed within said third slot; and    a seventh bearing portion and an eighth bearing portion integral to said fourth shelf support member for support of said second shelf member, said seventh and eighth bearing portions defining a fourth slot, said fourth tab fixed within said fourth slot,    wherein said second shelf member is substantially parallel to said first shelf member.    
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 a third shelf member adjacent to and substantially parallel to said first shelf member, said third shelf member comprising fifth tab at one end, a sixth tab at a second end, and a third aperture; and    a fourth shelf member adjacent to and substantially parallel to said second shelf member, said fourth shelf member comprising a seventh tab at one end, an eighth tab at a second end, and a fourth aperture,    wherein the first flap of said first shelf member is fixed within the third aperture of said third shelf member and the second flap of said second shelf member is fixed within the fourth aperture of said fourth shelf member.    
   
   
       4 . A shipping container comprising: 
 a first shelf support member comprising a first plurality of adjacent and integral block portions;    a second shelf support member comprising a second plurality of adjacent and integral block portions, each one of said second plurality of block portions corresponding to one of said first plurality of block portions;    a first plurality of slots, each one of said first plurality of slots defined between two adjacent block portions of said first plurality of block portions;    a second plurality of slots, each one of said second plurality of slots defined between two adjacent block portions of said second plurality of block portions; and    a first plurality of shelf members, each shelf member comprising a first tab, a second tab, a third tab, and an aperture,    wherein each first tab is fixed within one of said first plurality of slots, each second tab is fixed within one of said second plurality of slots, and each third tab mates with an aperture of an adjacent shelf member.    
   
   
       5 . The shipping container of  claim 4  wherein said block portions are wedge portions.  
   
   
       6 . The shipping container of  claim 4  further comprising: 
 a third shelf support member comprising a third plurality of adjacent and integral block portions;    a fourth shelf support member comprising a fourth plurality of adjacent and integral block portions, each one of said fourth plurality of block portions corresponding to one of said third plurality of block portions;    a third plurality of slots, each one of said third plurality of slots defined between two adjacent block portions of said third plurality of block portions;    a fourth plurality of slots, each one of said fourth plurality of slots defined between two adjacent block portions of said fourth plurality of block portions; and    a second plurality of shelf members, each shelf member comprising a first tab, a second tab, a third tab, and an aperture, each one of said shelf members of said second plurality corresponding to a respective one of said first plurality of shelf members, and said second plurality of shelf members in substantial parallel orientation to said first plurality of shelf members,    wherein with regard to said second plurality of shelf members, each first tab is fixed within one of said third plurality of slots, each second tab is fixed within one of said fourth plurality of slots, and each third tab mates with an aperture of an adjacent shelf member.    
   
   
       7 . A shipping container comprising: 
 a first shelf support member comprising a first block portion;    a second shelf support member comprising a second block portion;    a first slot defined adjacent to said first block portion on said first shelf support;    a second slot defined adjacent to said second block portion on said second shelf support; and    a shelf member comprising a first tab and a second tab, said first tab fixed within said first slot, and said second tab fixed within said second slot,    wherein said shelf member is fixed about said first and second block portions.    
   
   
       8 . The shipping container of  claim 7  wherein said block portions are wedge portions.  
   
   
       9 . The shipping container of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 a plurality of shelf members, and, a first plurality of first tabs wherein each of said first tabs corresponds to a respective shelf member, a second plurality of second tabs wherein each of said second tabs corresponds to a respective shelf member, a third plurality of third tabs wherein each of said third tabs corresponds to a respective shelf member, and a plurality of apertures wherein each of said apertures corresponds to a respective shelf member,    a first plurality of adjacent block portions integral to said first shelf support member;    a second plurality of adjacent block portions integral to said second shelf support member;    a first plurality of slots, each of said first plurality of slots defined between two adjacent block portions of said first plurality of wedge portions;    a second plurality of slots, each of said second plurality of slots defined between two adjacent block portions of said second plurality of block portions    wherein each first tab is fixed within one of said first plurality of slots, each second tab is fixed within one of said second plurality of slots, and each third tab mates with an aperture of an adjacent shelf member.    
   
   
       10 . A shelf assembly comprising: 
 a first shelf support member comprising a first block portion and a second block portion, said first and second block portions defining a first notch therebetween;    a second shelf support member comprising a third block portion and a fourth block portion, said third and fourth block portions defining a second notch therebetween; and    at least one shelf member having a first end and a second end, said shelf member comprising a first portion extending along a length of said shelf member, said first portion comprising a first tab at said first end, and a second tab at said second end,    wherein said first tab is fixed within said first notch and said second tab is fixed within said second notch, and, said at least one shelf member is fixed about the contours of said second and fourth block portions.