Box insert

Abstract

A product is secured within a box, using an apparatus that can be re-used to secure a different sized or shaped product. The apparatus is a box insert having a rigid sheet that fits snugly within the box, and multiple supports mounted on both the top and bottom of the rigid sheet. The supports mounted on the top side of the insert are spaced in an opposing manner to hold a first product snugly between those supports, while the supports mounted on the bottom side are spaced to hold a second product of a different shape or size. The insert is placed in a box so that either the top side or the bottom side of the insert is closest to the top of the box to serve as a support for whichever sized and shaped product best fits within the supports on that top-facing side of the insert.

1 . An insert to be placed in a substantially rectangular box having opposing parallel sides perpendicular to a flat bottom, which insert supports and protects a product to be transported within the box, comprising:
 a. a substantially flat, rectangular, and rigid sheet having a top side and a bottom side,   b. said rigid sheet having two opposing width ends that establish a width of said rigid sheet and two opposing length ends that establish a length of said rigid sheet such that said rigid sheet snugly fits within the box when said rigid sheet is substantially parallel to the bottom of the box,   c. a plurality of top supports attached to said top side of said rigid sheet in an opposing manner to form a first desired area between said top supports suitable for snugly holding a first product having a first size,   d. a plurality of bottom supports attached to said bottom side of said rigid sheet in an opposing manner to form a second desired area between said bottom supports suitable for snugly holding a second product having a second size different from said first size of the first product, and   e. an accessory opening formed in said rigid sheet suitable for receiving an accessory to be stored beneath the product supported on said rigid sheet.   
     
     
         2 . An insert according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. said top supports comprise at least two top length supports secured to said top side of said rigid sheet proximate to opposing length ends with a first desired length distance between said top length supports and at least two top width supports secured to said top side of said rigid sheet proximate to opposing width ends with a first desired width distance between said top width supports, and   b. a first product to be transported within the box fits snugly between said top length supports and said top width supports.   
     
     
         3 . An insert according to  claim 2 , wherein
 a. said bottom supports comprise at least two bottom length supports secured to said bottom side of said rigid sheet proximate to opposing length ends with a second desired length distance between said bottom length supports and at least two bottom width supports secured to said bottom side of said rigid sheet proximate to opposing width ends with a second desired width distance between said bottom width supports, and   b. a second product to be transported within the box fits snugly between said bottom length supports and said bottom width supports.   
     
     
         4 . An insert according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said top supports further comprises a base support with two ends and support extensions extending from each end of said base support toward an opposing top support, so that said first product snugly fits between said base support and said opposing top support, and a third product snugly fits between said support extensions and said opposing top support. 
     
     
         5 . An insert according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said support extensions is connected to said base support by a hinge permitting said support extension to be movable between a plurality of positions. 
     
     
         6 . An insert according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said bottom supports further comprises a base support with two ends and support extensions extending from each end of said base support toward an opposing bottom support, so that said second product snugly fits between said base support and said opposing bottom support, and a fourth product snugly fits between said support extensions and said opposing bottom support. 
     
     
         7 . An insert according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said support extensions is connected to said base support by a hinge permitting said support extension to be movable between a plurality of positions. 
     
     
         8 . An insert according to  claim 1 , wherein said top supports are connected to each other to form a single connected support surrounding said first desired area suitable for snugly holding a first product. 
     
     
         9 . An insert according to  claim 1 , wherein said bottom supports are connected to each other to form a single connected support surrounding said second desired area suitable for snugly holding a second product. 
     
     
         10 . An insert according to  claim 1 , wherein said accessory opening has an octagonal shape suitable for receiving a substantially round accessory. 
     
     
         11 . An insert according to  claim 1 , wherein a scored area surrounding said accessory opening is scored with cuts extending outward from said opening so that said scored area may be pushed downward as an accessory is placed through said accessory opening and said scored area substantially returns to an original position adjacent to said accessory opening after the accessory is placed beneath the insert. 
     
     
         12 . An insert according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of protuberance openings formed in said rigid sheet suitable for receiving protuberances from a product to be transported in the box. 
     
     
         13 . A method of protecting a product to be transported within a substantially rectangular box having opposing parallel sides perpendicular to a flat bottom, comprising the steps of:
 a. Placing within the box an insert having a substantially flat, rectangular, and rigid sheet with a top side, a bottom side, two opposing width ends that establish a width of said rigid sheet, two opposing length ends that establish a length of said rigid sheet, a plurality of top supports attached to the top side of said rigid sheet in an opposing manner to form a first desired area between said top supports which top supports are suitable for snugly holding a first product having a first size, a plurality of bottom supports attached to said bottom side of said rigid sheet in an opposing manner to form a second desired area between said bottom supports which bottom supports are suitable for snugly holding a second product having a second size different from said first size of the first product, and an accessory opening formed in said rigid sheet suitable for receiving an accessory to be stored beneath the product supported on said rigid sheet,   b. orienting said rigid sheet so that the top side of said insert is proximate to the flat bottom of the box if the product to be protected snugly fits within said second desired area or orienting said rigid sheet so that the bottom side of said insert is proximate to the flat bottom of the box if the product to be protected snugly fits within said first desired area.