Special receptacle or package – Shock protection type – With sling or suspension means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-01
2001-11-06
Bui, Luan K. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
Shock protection type
With sling or suspension means
C206S466000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311843
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to packaging in general, and, more particularly, to packaging boxes and components for retaining items in a secure manner.
Various packaging boxes are known, including boxes equipped for shipping items in a secure manner. For instance, sensitive items are often shipped in boxes with the items supported on blocks or on specially molded foamed polyurethane, or spaced from the side panels of the box by cardboard inserts, foamed polyurethane pellets or beads, or the so-called bubble-wrap sheets. These protective measures suppress the transmission to the items of impacts, shocks, vibrations and/or other forces to which the box itself may be subjected, but they sometimes are bulky, costly, difficult to handle, environmentally undesirable, and/or are non-compliant or do not conform to the items being shipped.
Some packaging components utilize resilient film to retain items being shipped in a secure manner. For example, inserts comprising cardboard frames with plastic film stretched over the frame have been used, with the item being secured between two such inserts that oppose each other.
The assignee of this application has rights under several U.S. patents relating to packaging. U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,896 to Jones shows an article packaging kit comprising an insert having a flat, corrugated cardboard sheet surrounded by a plastic sleeve or tube. The sheet is foldable to allow the sleeve or tube to be bloused up to accommodate an item. Returning the sheet to a flat position causes the sleeve to be tensioned about the item. U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,245, also to Jones, shows a similar arrangement.
The entire disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,323,896 and 5,676,245 are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide alternative means for securing items being shipped in packaging boxes.
Another object of the invention is to provide alternative packaging designs utilizing relatively rigid sheets and resilient elements.
Other objects of the invention include providing packaging boxes and/or components, e.g. inserts, that have one or more of the following capabilities: (1) to accommodate a wide range of sizes and shapes of items; (2) to space items from the bottom, sides and/or top of the outer box, including, if desired, by spacing panels that provide some ability to absorb impacts; (3) to provide for improved securing of the items; and/or (4) to allow for the securing of multiple items.
In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, a packaging insert is provided comprising a relatively rigid sheet and a resilient element. The resilient element may be a resilient sleeve or tube that surrounds the relatively rigid sheet. The relatively rigid sheet may be provided with a base panel having a plurality of fold lines that permit the base panel to be folded to accommodate items of various shapes and sizes. Additionally or alternatively, the relatively rigid sheet may be provided with one or more side panels that can be used to provide a greater width for the sheet in a flat condition. In this manner, the relatively rigid sheet accommodates a larger sleeve, making the insert capable of holding larger items. In use, the side panel (or panels) can be folded under the base panel so that the width of the base of the insert is significantly smaller than one-half the circumference of the tube.
Other variations of an insert are within the scope of the invention. For example, the relatively rigid sheet may have end panels that have integral leg portions that provide support against the bottom of a box into which the insert is placed. The end panels may be foldable to provide for cinching of the sleeve for better securement of the item or items. Additionally or alternatively, the end panels may be foldable to provide extra support for the insert against the bottom, sides and/or top of the box. The end panels may also provide internal support for the box panels to help prevent crushing of the box itself.
The insert may accommodate one or a plurality of items. For example, the insert may be provided with a divider or may have fold lines positioned in a way to provide separate places or compartments within the insert for separate items.
The insert may be designed for accommodating the item or items on the inside of the sleeve. In this manner, the items are held securely against the relatively rigid sheet by the sleeve. Alternatively, the insert may be designed so that the item is secured against the outside of the sleeve. One example of a use for such a design is as an edge protector.
More than one insert may be provided for use in securing an item or items. For example, two separate, and possibly interlocking, inserts can be provided, with an item to be held between the resilient elements of the two opposing inserts. In embodiments where the resilient element is a sleeve, this is another arrangement in which the item is secured against the outside of the sleeve.
The insert (or inserts) may be separate from the box into which it is to be placed or may be joined to it.
The resilient element may be formed, for example, of a plastic film. Other suitable materials include fabrics, cellulose, rubbers, polymers, and any other material providing the desired pliability, elasticity, and/or flexibility. It may also have additional features, such as slits, holes, or punctures to allow the desired result with respect to the item or items to be secured. For example, a resilient element in the form of a mesh may be used to suspend an item, wherein slits or openings in the mesh permit the resilient element to support the item like a hammock.
In appropriate embodiments, the shape of the resilient element may be in a form other than a sleeve or tube, such as a sheet, pocket or any other suitable configuration.
In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the insert (and also the box, if the insert is attached to the box) may be constructed so that it may be shipped to the user in a substantially flat condition.
In accordance with some embodiments, the packaging insert (or box) may be reused and/or easily recycled. Thus, for example, the resilient element may be easily separable from the relatively rigid sheet to allow for separate recycling of the components.
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Beneroff Richard N.
Carli Brian M.
Kim Eric
Smith Jeffrey A.
Bui Luan K.
Kenyon & Kenyon
Motion Design, Inc.
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