Bottle shipment packaging and method

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

p-0002This application claims priority pursuant to Title 35 USC §119 to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/372,178 filed Aug. 10, 2010 for “Bottle Shipment Packaging and Method” the entire content of the specification and drawings of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

p-0003In the shipment of glass bottles, such as wine bottles, by common carrier or courier, it has been a persistent issue that bottles will typically become damaged or break. Breakage of the bottles may occur when the carton within which the bottles are shipped is dropped or crushed during shipment. Damage to the bottles may be aesthetic, such as abrasion, rubbing, fading, or tearing of labels on the bottles, which is undesirable to the consumer receiving the shipments.

p-0004Importantly, shipping cartons and packaging must pass arduous tests before their design is accepted for transit by the carriers. One common test is administered by the International Safe Transportation Association (ISTA) and is designated as “ISTA Test Procedure 3A—Standard.” A copy of the test parameters for this test is provided at the end of this document.

p-0005Various solutions have been proposed in the past that have been partially successful in alleviating some of these issues. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,057, which is entitled “Bottle Shipper,” proposes use of four layers of molded pulp fiber used to ship bottles upright. The four layers of trays, which include two sets of two trays each connected at hinges, include generally cylindrical cavities when stacked onto one another such that the bottles placed in the cavities are entirely encased laterally along their lengths by the molded fiber material. Although this solution is at least partially effective in preventing breakage of the bottle, repeated shaking and crushing forces applied to the molded pulp fiber structures during shipment tend to soften and disintegrate the molded pulp fiber tray structures, especially in the area around the midsection of the outer bottles.

p-0006An additional example of a previously proposed bottle shipment packaging can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,406, which is entitled “Molded Pulp Fiber Interior Package Cushioning Structures.” This solution proposes a bottle cushioning structure that cushions bottles shipped laying horizontally in the shipping carton. In one disclosed embodiment, the cushioning of the bottles is accomplished in part by providing molded shells that surround each bottle. The molded shells include internally protruding crushable projections that although are effective in substantially limiting shaking of the bottles relative to the cushioning structure during shipment, they typically also contact the bottle along its midsection thus damaging or tearing the bottle's label.

p-0007Yet another example of a previously proposed packaging for shipment of bottles is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,582, which is entitled “Shock Absorbing Insulated Shipping Container Especially for Breakable Glass Bottles.” This solution proposes an insulated and shock absorbing insert for a cardboard box. The insert includes a cavity in which bottles are arranged and separated by a filling structure or partition system for separating the glass bottles from one another. An additional insulated body engages and covers a top opening of the insert. As disclosed, the insulated body is formed from injection molded polyurethane. In this arrangement, a conformable material used for the top of the insert surrounds the tops of the bottles placed in the cavity of the insert. A filler structure which forms receptacles accepts the bottles and surrounds them to provide shock absorption in cooperation with the top of the insert. Although this device is effective in avoiding the breakage of bottles carried therein, it accomplishes its function by engaging the lateral surfaces of the bottles, which as described above is generally undesirable insofar as it may cause abrasion, fading or tearing of labels on the bottles.

p-0008These and other shortcomings of the prior art can be overcome as provided herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

p-0009The invention provides a bottle packaging for shipment that is effective in maintaining the integrity of the bottle as well as preserving the aesthetic labeling of the bottle intact during shipping. In a disclosed embodiment, twelve bottles are shipped upright in a protective packaging arrangement of components that are disposed within a shipping carton. The component arrangement includes a bottom tray, and a top tray made of molded pulp fiber, such as newspaper pulp, and a corrugated cardboard partitioned support structure disposed therebetween. The support partition may be made of corrugated cardboard material and be arranged such that the flutes extend generally horizontally when the bottles are upright.

p-0010In one aspect, the orientation of the flutes in the partition is perpendicular relative to support flutes of the shipping carton. This flute orientation in the partition provides top loading compression strength to the packaging when the packaging is lying on any one of its sides under a load applied from the top such as when other items are disposed on the packaging during a parcel delivery service transport. Cavities formed by the bottom and top trays that are arranged to engage both ends of a bottle include crushable elements that axially engage each bottle. In these ways, structural support can be provided by the carton and the packaging to the bottles from all directions.

p-0011In another aspect, the disclosure describes a method of packaging bottles for shipment over common carrier. In the disclosed method, twelve bottles may be packaged upright in a shipping carton such that engagement with the bottle by the packaging is limited to the top and bottom portions of the bottle. The packaging also enables the easy inspection of bottles prior to sealing of the packaging carton in that a bottom tray and a partition support structure enable the visual inspection of the bottles before a top tray is provided and the carton is sealed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

p-0012<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of a shipment packaging arrangement of components in accordance with the disclosure.

p-0013<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is an exploded perspective view of the shipment packaging arrangement of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, which also illustrates the shipping carton.

p-0014<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective view of a partially assembled shipment packaging arrangement in accordance with the disclosure.

p-0015<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 and 5</figref> are perspective views of a bottom shipping tray in accordance with the disclosure showing respectively the interior and exterior of the tray.

p-0016<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a section view of a bottom shipping tray in accordance with the disclosure.

p-0017<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7 and 8</figref> are perspective views of a top shipping tray in accordance with the disclosure showing respectively the exterior and interior of the tray.

p-0018<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a section view of a top shipping tray in accordance with the disclosure.

p-0019<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a section view of a packed shipping carton in accordance with the disclosure.

p-0020<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11 and 12</figref> are front views of two structural elements in accordance with the disclosure.

p-0021<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 13 and 14</figref> are side views of two structural elements in accordance with the disclosure.

p-0022<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> is an enlarged detail side view of an alternate embodiment of a material used to construct the structural elements shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 13 and 14</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

p-0023An outline view of a bottle shipment packaging <b>100</b> is shown removed from its shipping carton in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, and shown in exploded view in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. The packaging <b>100</b> includes a bottom tray <b>102</b>, a top tray <b>104</b>, and a support partition <b>106</b> disposed between the trays <b>102</b> and <b>104</b>. The illustrated packaging is configured to hold twelve bottles that are shipped in a carton <b>110</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>). The carton <b>110</b> illustrated and contemplated for shipping bottles as disclosed herein for one embodiment is a regular slotted carton (RSC) having inside dimension of 18¼″ by 13⅞″ by 14¼″ constructed of 44 lb. edge crush test (ECT) C-flute corrugated board, but any other suitable type of carton may be used.

p-0024As shown, a bottle <b>108</b> is packaged between the bottom and top trays <b>102</b> and <b>104</b> for illustration, while other bottles are not shown for clarity. During packaging, one of the top or bottom trays <b>104</b> or <b>102</b> may be placed at the bottom of a cavity <b>112</b> of the carton <b>110</b>, which is arranged to be properly dimensioned to provide a slight interference fit with the tray <b>102</b> such that the tray <b>102</b> is positively positioned and frictionally engaged with the side walls of the carton <b>110</b> to avoid displacement and rattling during shipment. As in the bottom tray <b>102</b>, the edges of the top tray <b>104</b> have a slight interference fit with the side walls of the carton <b>110</b> such that the edges of the tray <b>104</b> contact the sidewalls to provide a positive positioning of the tray within the carton <b>110</b>. The partition <b>106</b> is then inserted in engaging relationship to the inserted tray <b>102</b> or <b>194</b> thus creating twelve bays <b>114</b> between the members of the partition <b>106</b>, each of which is configured to accept a bottle <b>108</b> as is best shown in the partially assembled view of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> and in the assembled view of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>. When the desired number of bottles <b>108</b> have been inserted into the bays <b>114</b>, the mating tray <b>102</b> or <b>104</b> is inserted over the bottles <b>108</b> to complete the packaging. In a preferred embodiment, the top tray <b>104</b> is inserted into the carton <b>110</b> first such that the bottles <b>108</b> are inserted neck down into the bays <b>114</b>. In this way, insertion of the bottom tray <b>102</b> from the top over the bottoms of the bottles <b>108</b> makes for easier assembly of the packaging <b>100</b>. Thereafter, the carton <b>110</b> is inverted and shipped with the bottles <b>108</b> standing upright.

p-0025Thereafter, flaps <b>116</b> of the carton <b>110</b> can be closed, secured and otherwise prepared for shipment. Unlike previously proposed packaging arrangements, the packaging <b>100</b> is advantageously configured to securely engage the bottles <b>108</b> in a fashion that resists degradation of the packaging material during transit, such as disintegration of the molded pulp fiber material of the trays that hold the bottles, while also avoiding contact with the labels that can degrade the bottles' aesthetic appearance. These attributes can be accomplished, in part, by use of securement chambers that are formed in the trays <b>102</b> and <b>104</b>, as is described in further detail in the paragraphs that follow. The overall integrity of the filled container is partially accomplished by the structural configuration of the partition <b>106</b> as will also be described.

p-0026<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 and 5</figref> are perspective views of the bottom tray <b>102</b> illustrating respectively the interior and exterior of the tray. The tray <b>102</b> is made of molded pump fiber. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a section view to illustrated various features thereof. In the description that follows, elements and features that appear in multiples in the disclosed embodiments are designated by reference numerals in the drawings that correspond to fewer than all corresponding elements for simplicity.

p-0027Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment the bottom tray <b>102</b> includes twelve lower securement chambers <b>116</b>, which are arranged in three rows of four. Each lower securement chamber <b>116</b> has a generally cylindrical shape that forms a cup, which is defined by a hollow cylindrical wall <b>118</b> and a bottom <b>120</b> that rests upon the bottom wall of an associated carton <b>110</b> (See <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>). The bottom tray <b>102</b> is formed by a paper pulp molding process, such as number <b>8</b> and/or number <b>10</b> news print pulp. The cylindrical wall <b>118</b> illustrated has a generally conical shape to facilitate the removal of the tray <b>102</b> from a mold (not shown).

p-0028A plurality of support ribs <b>122</b> are disposed, one each, between adjacent chambers <b>116</b> to provide structural support to adjacent cylindrical walls <b>118</b>. The support ribs <b>122</b> provide resistance to folding or bending of the bottom tray <b>102</b> in addition to maintaining the relative orientation and spacing between adjacent securement chambers <b>116</b>. Additionally, four outer posts <b>124</b> are disposed at the four outer corners of the bottom tray <b>102</b>. Each post <b>124</b> provides vertical support resisting crushing of the tray <b>102</b> as well as providing a guide to ensure proper positioning of the bottom tray <b>102</b> during and after insertion into the carton <b>110</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>). The bottom tray <b>102</b> additionally includes a plurality of notches <b>126</b> defined around the periphery as well as internal to the body of the bottom tray <b>102</b>. Each notch <b>126</b> is positioned in a non-stress bearing area of the tray <b>102</b> and serves to reduce the overall weight of the tray <b>102</b> in addition to providing at least some flexibility for bending of the tray <b>102</b>. The bending flexibility of the tray <b>102</b> aids in reducing the disintegration, cracking, and/or unraveling of the meshed fibers that make up the tray material during transit. The notches <b>125</b> have horizontally diverted sidewalls <b>125</b> that contribute to the overall strength of the tray <b>102</b>.

p-0029The bottom tray <b>102</b> further includes six posts <b>128</b> that provide support to, engage, and appropriately position the support partition <b>106</b> relative to the bottom tray <b>102</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>). As shown, each post <b>128</b> includes four protrusions <b>130</b> on a top portion thereof. The four protrusions <b>130</b> are spaced apart such that a cross-shaped channel <b>132</b> is defined therebetween. Each straight segment of the cross-shaped channel <b>132</b> is aligned with a corresponding channel <b>134</b> formed along a ledge <b>136</b> of the outer peripheral wall of the bottom tray <b>102</b>. In this way, the cross-shaped channels <b>132</b> and corresponding channels <b>134</b> are configured to cradle and axially constrain displacement of the partition structure <b>106</b> relative to the bottom tray <b>102</b>. The ledge <b>136</b> further defines an outer peripheral edge <b>137</b> of the tray, which as previously described is configured to contact the sidewalls of the carton <b>110</b> in a slight interference fit such that the tray <b>102</b> is positively positioned within the carton <b>110</b>.

p-0030More specifically, and in reference to FIGS. <b>3</b> and <b>11</b>-<b>14</b>, the support partition <b>106</b> is made up of two long structural panels <b>136</b> and three shorter structural panels <b>138</b> that are configured to interlock with one another to form the partition <b>106</b>. The interlocking relationship is accomplished by interlocking notches <b>140</b> defined in each panel <b>136</b> and <b>138</b>. When assembling the partition <b>106</b>, edges <b>142</b> of each panel defined at the end of each notch <b>140</b> are placed in abutting relationship with corresponding edges <b>142</b> in the mating panel while the panels <b>136</b> and <b>138</b> are perpendicular to one another and the notches <b>140</b> in the two panels are aligned. In this way, the partition <b>106</b> is made up panel by panel. When the partition <b>106</b> is assembled, the panels <b>136</b> and <b>138</b> define a top edge configuration <b>144</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) and a bottom edge configuration <b>146</b>. The bottom edge configuration <b>146</b> is arranged to mate with the cross-shaped channels <b>132</b> and the corresponding channels <b>134</b> when the partition <b>106</b> is assembled onto the bottom tray <b>102</b> as previously described.

p-0031The panels <b>136</b> and <b>138</b> in the illustrated embodiment are made of corrugated fiberboard, which is also commonly referred to as corrugated board or corrugated cardboard. Thus, each of the panels <b>136</b> and <b>138</b> is made of a paper based material that includes a fluted corrugated medium <b>148</b> sandwiched between two flat linerboards <b>150</b>. The direction of the flutes <b>148</b> extends horizontally along the length of each panel <b>136</b> and <b>138</b> thus providing the greatest structural support to the partition <b>106</b> in these directions, as shown in each of the side views presented in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 13 and 14</figref>. Such directionality of the partition <b>106</b> is combined with vertical extending flutes in the corrugated board of the carton <b>110</b>, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, to provide support in the packaging <b>100</b> in all lateral directions during transit. In one embodiment, the panels <b>136</b> and <b>138</b> are made of a dual layered corrugated board, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>, which is a partial view on an enlarged scale of the cardboard structure of the panels of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11-14</figref>. The dual layered corrugated board shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> includes two layers of fluted corrugated medium <b>148</b> that is sandwiched in alternative fashion between three layers of flat linerboards <b>150</b>.

p-0032Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the bottom <b>120</b> of each lower securement chamber <b>116</b> includes a crushable ring <b>152</b> that is formed concentrically relative to the cylindrical wall <b>118</b> and that protrudes into the lower securement chamber <b>116</b>. When the base portion of a bottle <b>108</b> is disposed within the lower securement chamber <b>116</b>, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, the bottom <b>154</b> of the bottle <b>108</b> rests against the ring <b>152</b>, which becomes partially crushed under the weight of the bottle thus conforming to the shape of the bottom <b>154</b> and providing a cushioned, continuous engagement therewith along an annular ring contact area <b>156</b>. Moreover, considering that most commonly used wine bottles have concave features formed in their bottoms, the ring <b>152</b> also serves to concentrically locate the bottle <b>108</b> relative to the cylindrical wall <b>118</b> within the lower securement chamber <b>116</b>.

p-0033Turning now to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7</figref>, <b>8</b> and <b>9</b>, top and bottom perspective views and a cross section of the top tray <b>104</b> are respectively shown. In the description that follows, structural features and elements that are the same or similar structurally or functionally as corresponding features and elements already described are denoted in the drawings and described using the same reference numerals as previously used for simplicity. Accordingly, the top tray <b>104</b> includes twelve upper securement chambers <b>158</b> that are arranged in three rows of four in corresponding arrangement with the lower securement chambers <b>116</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>). Each upper securement chamber <b>158</b> has a generally cylindrical shape that forms a cup, which is defined by a hollow cylindrical wall <b>160</b> and a top <b>162</b>. As in the bottom tray <b>102</b>, the top tray <b>104</b> is formed by a molding process. Thus, the cylindrical wall <b>160</b> may include a draft angle along its length in the mold separation direction (in this case, downward), that is selected based on the type of material being used.

p-0034The top tray <b>104</b> is configured to engage the upper portions or necks of bottles <b>108</b> that are disposed therein (see, for example, <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>). For this reason, the diameter of the upper securement chambers <b>158</b> is smaller than that of the lower securement chambers <b>116</b>. To provide additional lateral protection to the cylindrical walls <b>160</b> of the upper securement chambers <b>158</b>, the top tray <b>104</b> includes buttressing wall segments <b>164</b>. The wall segments <b>164</b> have generally cylindrical shapes that are disposed concentrically around the cylindrical walls <b>160</b> at a distance <b>166</b>. Each cylindrical wall <b>160</b> of the upper securement chambers <b>158</b> meets the inner wall portion of its corresponding wall segments <b>164</b> along a generally annular shoulder <b>168</b>. As shown, each generally annular shoulder <b>168</b> is disposed concentrically around the entire lower periphery of each upper securement chamber <b>158</b>.

p-0035The buttressing wall segments <b>164</b> terminate in annular rims <b>165</b>. A plurality of support ribs <b>170</b> extend from annular rims <b>165</b>, one each, between adjacent wall segments <b>164</b> to provide structural support. Planar support surfaces <b>171</b> are coplanar with tops <b>162</b> of each upper securement chamber <b>158</b>. Ribs <b>170</b> are thus of a length to contact the top wall of the associated carton for transmissions of any load received by annular shoulders <b>168</b>. The support ribs <b>170</b> provide resistance to folding or bending of the top tray <b>104</b> in addition to maintaining the relative orientation and spacing between adjacent wall segments <b>164</b> thus essentially isolating the cylindrical walls <b>160</b> of the upper securement chambers <b>158</b> from external stresses applied to the top tray <b>104</b> during shipment. Additionally, similar to the bottom tray <b>102</b>, four outer posts <b>124</b> are disposed at the four outer corners of the top tray <b>104</b> to provide vertical support resisting crushing of the tray <b>104</b> as well as provide a guide to ensure proper positioning of the top tray <b>104</b> during and after insertion into the carton <b>110</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>).

p-0036Similar to the bottom tray <b>102</b>, the top tray <b>104</b> includes six posts <b>128</b> that provide support to, engage, and appropriately position the support partition <b>106</b> relative to the bottom tray <b>102</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>). As in the bottom tray <b>102</b>, each post <b>128</b> of the top tray <b>104</b> includes four protrusions <b>130</b> on a bottom portion thereof. The four protrusions <b>130</b> are spaced apart such that a cross-shaped channel <b>132</b> is defined therebetween. Each straight segment of the cross-shaped channel <b>132</b> is aligned with a corresponding channel <b>134</b> formed along a ledge <b>172</b> of the outer peripheral wall of the top tray <b>104</b>. In this way, the cross-shaped channels <b>132</b> and corresponding channels <b>134</b> are configured to cradle and axially constrain displacement of the partition structure <b>106</b> relative to the top and bottom trays <b>102</b> and <b>104</b> when the two trays are aligned with one another in the carton <b>110</b> (as shown, for example, in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>).

p-0037Returning now to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, the top <b>162</b> of each upper securement chamber <b>158</b> includes a crushable protrusion <b>174</b> that is formed concentrically relative to the cylindrical wall <b>160</b> and that protrudes into the upper securement chamber <b>158</b>. When the topmost portion of a bottle <b>108</b> is disposed within the upper securement chamber <b>158</b> as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> and depending on the height of each bottle <b>108</b>, the top of the bottle <b>108</b> may push against the protrusion <b>174</b>. For shorter bottles, i.e. bottles that are not tall enough to reach the protrusion <b>174</b>, an outer periphery of the bottle close to its top may touch and push against the annular shoulder <b>168</b>. In general, the overall height of the packaging <b>100</b> may be configured to correspond to a particular bottle type and size by appropriately adjusting the dimensions of the packaging components, for example, the height of the panels <b>136</b> and <b>138</b> that made up the partition <b>106</b>. In this way, contact of the bottles <b>108</b> may be insured with the top protrusion <b>174</b> and/or the shoulder <b>168</b>. However, even in the case of shipments containing more than one bottle type and size, contact with at least one of the protrusion <b>174</b> and the shoulder <b>168</b> is sufficient to ensure proper cushioning and retention of the bottles <b>108</b>. The relatively narrow profile of the annular shoulder <b>168</b> and/or the small profile of the protrusion <b>174</b> may be at least partially deformed or crushed when coming into contact with the bottle <b>108</b>. In this way, the packaging can dynamically conform to the shape of the bottle <b>108</b>. This is especially useful at those times during shipment when the packed carton <b>110</b> is subjected to crushing or vibratory loading, such that the bottles <b>108</b> are securely held and cushioned within the packaging during transit.

p-0038In reference now to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, a plurality of bottles <b>108</b> is shown packaged within a carton <b>110</b> by use of the packaging <b>100</b> disclosed herein. As shown and previously described, each bottle <b>108</b> is retained in the carton <b>110</b> by contact of its bottom <b>154</b> with the ring <b>152</b> of the bottom tray <b>102</b> and by contact of its top with either the protrusion <b>174</b> and/or the annular shoulder <b>168</b> of the top tray <b>102</b>. In such configuration, a mid-portion of the bottle <b>108</b> can remain free of contact with supporting or cushioning structures, which is especially useful for bottles having labels and so forth. As shown, for example, each bottle <b>108</b> is surrounded by a hollow cylindrical cavity <b>176</b>. The cylindrical cavity <b>176</b> is devoid of any structures that may contact the bottle <b>108</b> either during packaging or shipment, and provides a buffer area to accommodate deflection of surrounding structures that, even in a deflected state, are unlikely to physically contact the bottle and cause fading or damage to the bottle or to a label <b>178</b> disposed thereon. The cylindrical cavity <b>176</b> extends axially between the bottom <b>120</b> of the lower securement chamber <b>116</b> at the bottom tray <b>102</b> and the annular shoulder <b>168</b> and/or the top <b>162</b> of the upper securement chamber <b>158</b> at the top tray <b>104</b>. In a lateral or radial direction, the cavity <b>176</b> extends between the side of the carton <b>110</b> and the partition <b>106</b> for bottles disposed around the perimeter of the carton <b>110</b>, or between adjacent panels <b>136</b> and <b>138</b> (see, for example, <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>) for bottles disposed internally in the carton <b>110</b>.

p-0039The packaging <b>100</b> described and shown herein is advantageously capable of passing the ISTA 3A testing procedure. As can be seen from the testing procedure parameters listed at the end of this document, the ISTA 3A test includes various drop, shock and vibration test sequences performed along multiple axes of the carton. It is believed that the cross directionality of the flutes in the walls of the carton and the partition <b>106</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>), as well as the cushioning and retention of the bottles by the top and bottom trays <b>104</b> and <b>102</b> provide sufficient securement of the bottles and structural integrity to the bottle to withstand this arduous test procedure. All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

p-0040The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

p-0041Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.