Special receptacle or package – Shock protection type – With sling or suspension means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-09
2001-03-27
Gehman, Bryon P. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
Shock protection type
With sling or suspension means
C206S594000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206194
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to packaging in general, and, more particularly, to packaging boxes for accommodating an item or 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.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide alternative means for securing items being shipped in packaging boxes.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a resilient element is provided within the box; the resilient element is capable of supporting, suspending and/or holding down an item or items being shipped. Because the resilient element is flexible, it acts as a shock absorber, such that forces on the box are absorbed in whole or in part to reduce or eliminate the transmission of such forces to the items being shipped.
The resilient element may be a part of an insert for placement within the box, wherein the insert provides for the resilient element to extend across a space within the box for supporting, suspending and/or holding down the item or items to be shipped. The insert may comprise one or more panels to which the resilient element is attached.
Alternatively, the resilient element may be directly attached to one or more of the panels of the box itself. For example, the resilient element may be attached to the inside of one or more side panels of the box. The resilient element may additionally be attached to a handle which may be used to twist or otherwise adjust the resilient element in order to secure the item or items in place. A cinching mechanism may also be used to secure the resilient element in place.
The resilient element may take many forms. For example, it may be in the form of a plastic film. Other suitable materials include fabrics, cellulose, rubbers, polymers, and any other material providing the desired pliability, elasticity, and/or flexibility. The shape of the resilient element may be in the form of a sheet, tube, pocket or any other suitable configuration. 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 like a hammock. As another example, the resilient element may have a central slit so that it may be looped around an object, with one end of the resilient element being passing through the slit to form the loop.
As a specific example of an insert in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an insert may comprise a plastic film glued to a rigid sheet of corrugated cardboard or other relatively rigid material, wherein the sheet may be separated into two panels that may be positioned at opposite ends within the box. In such an embodiment, the plastic film extends between the two panels for supporting, suspending and/or holding down the item or items to be shipped.
In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the box and the insert may both be constructed so that they may be shipped to the user in a substantially flat condition. For example, the insert may be made of a single flat sheet of corrugated cardboard, with the plastic film glued in at least two places to the flat sheet. For use, the sheet of cardboard may be separated into two panels, with the plastic film glued to each of the panels so that it extends between them.
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Beneroff Richard N.
Kim Eric
Smith Jeffrey A.
Gehman Bryon P.
Kenyon & Kenyon
Motion Design, Inc.
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