WO1993006024A1

WO1993006024A1 - A packaging element and system

Info

Publication number: WO1993006024A1
Application number: PCT/AU1992/000492
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kay Wilms
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-09-19
Filing date: 1992-09-18
Publication date: 1993-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 1994-03-19

Abstract

A packaging element (10) for fragile articles comprises a pair of toroidal rings (12A, 12B) of resilient plastics material connected by an adjustable strap (13). The strap (13) may ne elastically extendable or tensionable by a buckle to securely locate the pacakaging element (10) over the opposed diagonal corners of a planar rectangular object. A similar packaging element located on the opposite face of the object and secured to the other diagonal corners provides the object with cushioning on both planar faces and all four edges. A plurality of interconnected rings (12A) each connected by an adjustable strap (13) to an adjacent ring (12B) provides cushioned protection for regularly or irregularly shaped objects.

Description

A PACKAGING ELEMENT AND SYSTEM This invention relates to a packaging element and system and relates especially to a packaging element and system to protect and cushion fragile articles such as framed artwork for transportation and/or storage.

Packaging of fragile articles and especially framed paintings is a procedure that must be carried out with great care as the article itself is often of great commercial worth. To package such an article for transportation purposes, it is necessary to ensure that the article is not damaged during transit. One method of packaging an article is to tightly wrap the article in layer upon layer of material such as paper or cardboard. However, such a process is time consuming and tedious and results in a large amount of waste product being generated. Satisfactory protection is also not obtained.

It is also known to transport fragile articles in a box having the remaining space within the box filled with loose fill cushioning material. This type of material usually comprises expanded plastic particles or beads, sawdust, straw, shredded paper and the like. A disadvantage with this type of system is that the loose fill cushioning material can shift during transit resulting in zones or portions of the article not being fully protected by the cushioning material which can result in damage to the article. Furthermore, this type of packaging system again results in a large amount of waste material which is usually disposed of.

Another known cushioning, material to protect fragile articles is bubble plastics film. The article is wrapped in a film of bubble plastics and then placed in a box or envelope or like member. A disadvantage with this system is the relatively high cost of bubble plastics films and the high labour content associated with wrapping goods in this material prior to the enclosure in a rigid, box-like container.

Of more recent times it has become common to custom mould expanded polystyrene packaging elements having a shape adapted to receive the ends or corners of a fragile article, those elements also being adapted, when engaged with the article, to fit neatly into a container to cushion the article therein and to prevent movement with the container. Typically these packaging elements are used for transportation of scientific instruments, electronic consumer goods and the like.

Although generally effective for their purpose, prior art packaging systems for delicate or fragile articles add substantially to the cost of the articles due to high manufacturing costs for custom moulded cushioning elements or high labour costs for non tailored systems. In any event most prior art packaging systems are wasteful of energy and materials sources in that none are really designed for adaptation to a wide range of goods while at the same time being readily reusable.

U.S. patent 4,836,379 discloses a modular shock absorbing shipping pack comprising a plurality of shock absorbing elements.

U.S. patent 4,465,188 discloses an inflatable packaging structure comprising an inflatable sleeve in which a fragile article can be protected. Australian patent application 71974/87 discloses a device for protecting objects against shock, the device comprising sausage like sections.

It is an object of the invention to provide a packaging element and system which can cushion fragile articles against damage in transit and which may overcome or ameliorate the disadvantages of prior art cushioned packaging systems.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a packaging element comprising:- at least two apertured resiliently deformable cushioning members; and, a connecting member extending between and captively retaining said at least two apertured cushioning members, said apertured cushioning members in use being engageable over opposed corners or faces of an article to be packaged.

Suitably said packaging element comprises a unitary structure formed from a single piece of reεiliently deformable material, said at least two cushioning members comprising respective apertures adjacent opposed ends of said unitary structure.

Preferably said packaging element comprises separate cushioning members connected by and captively retained by said connecting member.

If required said packaging element may comprise a plurality of cushioning members, each cushioning member being connected to an adjacent cushioning member by a respective connecting means.

Said packaging element comprising a plurality of cushioning members may comprise a. linear or branched structure with a cushioning member retained by a single connecting member at the free . ends of said packaging element.

Alternatively said packaging element may comprise a plurality of cushioning members each cushioning member being interconnected by a respective connecting member to form a continuous structure. If required at least some of said cushioning members may be connected to more than two adjacent cushioning members by respective connecting members.

Suitably said cushioning members comprise inflatable elements. Preferably said cushioning element comprise foamed plastics or rubber material.

More preferably said cushioning elements comprise an annular shape.

Most preferably said cushioning elements comprise a toroidal shape.

If required said connecting member may be adjustable in length to selectively vary the spacing between adjacently connected cushioning members.

The connecting member may be elastically extendable.

Alternatively the connecting member may include adjustment means to selectively vary its length.

Suitably, said connecting member is releasably attachable to a respective cushioning member.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 discloses a packaging element associated with framed artwork on a container blank;

Figure 2 shows a pair of packaging elements provided on opposed sides of a framed art work in a container. ^'

Figure 3 shows schematically a large planar object such as a door or window prepared for packaging.

Figure 4 shows the door or window of Figure 3 prepared for packaging in an alternative configuration.

Figures 5 and 6 show further embodiments of the invention for packaging bulky objects.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a packaging element 10 comprising a pair of interconnected rings 12A, 12B stretched over diagonally opposed corners of a framed artwork 11 or similar fragile planar object.

Each ring is toroidal in configuration and each comprises a single inflatable tube. Suitably the rings are formed from a pair of welded plastic annuli which can be inflated through a suitable inlet/outlet valve (not shown) . Rings 12A, 12B are interconnected by a connecting means in the form of a strap 13. Strap 13 is adjustable in length and suitably includes a buckle or like member (not shown) . As illustrated in Figure 1, the packaging elemen 10 (comprising rings 12A, 12B and strap 13) can be stretched over opposed edges of the framed artwork 11 to secure the packaging element 10 to the artwork. In the simplest form, a single cushioning body 10 protects the front face of the artwork, a pair of opposed edges and the rear face of the artwork by spacing and elevating respective edges and faces of the artwork from the side walls and upper and lower faces of a packaging container 17 shown as a box blank.

For further protection of the article, a second packaging element 14 may be provided extending between the opposite diagonal corner of article 11 across the rear face thereof as shown in Figure 2. Second packaging element 14 is identical to the first cushioning body 10 and comprises a pair of toroidal rings 15A, 15B interconnected again by an adjustable strap 16. To further protect the article 11 during transit or storage, the article 11 fitted with the packaging elements 10, 14 is suitably located within a storage container. The storage container suitably comprises a box 17 which is preferably formed from a blank having a major base panel 18, a major top panel or lid 20 and side panels 19 which can be folded along respective fold lines to form the assembled box as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 also shows that the dimensions of the box and/or the packaging elements are chosen such that when the box 17 is assembled, contact is made between the cushioning rings 12A, 12B and 15A, 15B and the internal sides of the box 17. In this manner the article is securely located in place and is unable to move around in the box. This also alleviates the requirement for loose fill material (such as plastic beads, straw etc). It is not, however, critical that the article is firmly fixed in the box as some degree of movement is tolerated by the excellent cushioning qualities of packaging elements 10 and 14.

To packaging article 11, a first pair of rings 12A, 12B is initially secured over one set of opposed corners and the strap 13 is tightened or tensioned to result in the rings 12A, 12B being stretched over the corners. A second set of rings 15A, 15B is then secured over the other adjacent corners on the opposite face of article 11 and again the strap 16 can be tightened or tensioned to stretch these rings 15A, 15B over the corners. The article 11 with attached packaging elements 10, 14 is then placed on the carton blank 17 which is then folded and assembled to form the box. The box may be of sufficient height to allow a number of cushioned articles to be packaged within a single box.

FIGS 3 and 4 show schematically packaging elements in accordance with the invention in use with larger planar fragile articles such as carved or decorative doors or panels or glazed window frames.

In FIG 3 a glazed window frame 20 is prepared for packaging in a box, carton or other container by a packaging element 21 comprising four spaced toroidal rings 22 of a plastics foam such as polyether foam. The rings 22 are each connected to an adjacent ring by a resilient rubber strap 23. The packaging element is secured to window frame 20 by first securing alternate rings 22 to diagonally opposing corners of frame 20 and then securing the other rings 22 over the remaining diagonally opposed corners of frame 20. The frame 20 is then ready for enclosure in a box or carton with all four edge faces and upper and lower main faces spaced from the internal walls of the box or carton.

FIG 4 shows schematically an alternative means of employing the packaging elements according to the invention.

A planar door panel or glazed window frame 30 has packaging elements 31, in the form of four foamed plastics rings 32 interconnected by resilient straps 33, stretched or secured over the frame 30 to provide cushioning for the front and/or rear faces of the frame 30. If edge protection is also required for frame 30, similar packaging elements 31 are provided but positioned such that foamed plastics rings 32a are secured over the opposed edges of frame 30 with rings 32b positioned in the centre of the upper and lower faces of frame 30.

FIGS 5 and 6 show the application of packaging elements to bulky fragile articles such as a microwave oven, television set, computer monitor etc. FIG 5 shows an article 40 of cuboid shape prepared for packaging in a carton with a pair of packaging elements 41, 42 disposed over diagonal corners of article 40. Each packaging element 41, 42 comprises four ring like cushioning members 43 connected by resilient or adjustable straps 44.

FIG 6 shows an alternative embodiment comprising eight cushioning elements 50 each connected by a respective connecting member 51. If required, additional resilient or tensionable straps 52 (shown in phantom) may be interconnected diagonally between opposed elements 50.

Although the packaging elements according to the invention have been illustrated with reference to planar rectangular panels and regular cuboid shapes, it will be readily apparent to a skilled addressee that the invention is also applicable to articles of irregular shape. By determining the most appropriate position for the cushioning elements and then interconnecting those elements as required with connecting straps, virtually any fragile object can be securely packaged.

For very large objects such as shipping crates, additional protection for an article or articles packed therein may be achieved by using discarded motor vehicle tyres positioned at strategic positions on the corners and or selected faces of the crate, the tyres then being interconnected by tensionable straps, chains or the like to secure the tyres in place. It will be equally readily apparent to a skilled addressee that many modifications and variations may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A packaging element comprising:- at least two apertured resiliently deformable cushioning members; and, a connecting member extending between and captively retaining said at least two apertured cushioning members, said apertured cushioning members in use being engageable over opposed corners or faces of an article.

2. A packaging element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said packaging element comprises a unitary structure formed from a single piece of resiliently deformable material, said at least two cushioning members comprising respective apertures adjacent opposed ends of said unitary structure.

3. A packaging element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said packaging element comprises separate cushioning members connected by and captively retained by said connecting member.

4. A packaging element as claimed in any preceding claim, said packaging element comprising a plurality of cushioning members, each cushioning member being connected to an adjacent cushioning member by a respective connecting means.

5. A packaging element as claimed in claim 4 wherein said packaging element comprises a linear or branched structure with a cushioning member retained by a single connecting member at each free end of said packaging element.

6. A packaging element as claimed in claim 4 wherein said packaging element comprises a plurality of cushioning members each cushioning member being interconnected by a respective connecting member to form a continuous structure.

7. A packaging element as claimed in any one of claims .4 to 6 wherein at least some of said cushioning members may be connected to more than two adjacent cushioning members by respective connecting members.

8. A packaging element as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said cushioning members comprise inflatable elements.

9. A packaging element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said cushioning elements comprise foamed plastics or rubber material.

10. A packaging element as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2 to 9 wherein said cushioning elements comprise an annular shape.

11. A packaging element as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2 to 10 wherein said cushioning elements comprise a toroidal shape.

12. A packaging element as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said connecting member is adjustable in length to selectively vary the spacing between adjacently connected cushioning members.

13. A packaging element as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the connecting . member is elastically extendable.

14. A packaging element as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 3 to 12 wherein the connecting member includes adjustment means to selectively vary its length.

15. A packaging element as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 3 to 14 wherein said connecting member is releasably attachable to a respective cushioning member.