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WO2007103729A2 - Dispositif, systeme et procede de stockage d'articles du type ficelle - Google Patents

Dispositif, systeme et procede de stockage d'articles du type ficelle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007103729A2
WO2007103729A2 PCT/US2007/063072 US2007063072W WO2007103729A2 WO 2007103729 A2 WO2007103729 A2 WO 2007103729A2 US 2007063072 W US2007063072 W US 2007063072W WO 2007103729 A2 WO2007103729 A2 WO 2007103729A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
elongated
section
packaging material
storing
article
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2007/063072
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2007103729A3 (fr
Inventor
Tim Arnold
George O'camb
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CHANCE ENTERPRISES LLC
Original Assignee
CHANCE ENTERPRISES LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CHANCE ENTERPRISES LLC filed Critical CHANCE ENTERPRISES LLC
Publication of WO2007103729A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007103729A2/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Publication of WO2007103729A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007103729A3/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/02—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for annular articles
    • B65D85/04—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for annular articles for coils of wire, rope or hose
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B67/00—Apparatus or devices facilitating manual packaging operations; Sack holders
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/15—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the preformed tubular webs being stored on filling nozzles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/04—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in single sheets or wrapper blanks

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device, system and method for storing elongated articles, which may include semi-rigid articles or string-like articles such as a string of lights.
  • the invention is particularly suited for storing strings of lights that are prone to tangling when stored in a traditional fashion, e.g., Christmas lights or similar articles.
  • FIG. 1 shows a side view of an exemplary string of today's modern holiday lights 80.
  • strings of holiday lights include, but are not limited to, styles and names such as the basic strings, mini lights, led mini lights, trunk wrap lights, swag lights, net lights, ribbon style lights, and icicle lights.
  • light weight plastic has led to strings of holiday lights 80 having lengths of fifty feet.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a device, system and method for storing holiday lights or other string-like articles.
  • Such a device, system and method should make it easy for one to store their holiday lights so that upon their next use, the lights they can be readily removed from their storage location and readily set up without dealing with tangles or knots.
  • Such a device and system also should be handheld so that one can store the string of lights 80 easily and in any location, i.e., both indoors and outdoors and in the types of location where lights may be used, e.g., on or around trees, houses, bushes and lawn ornaments.
  • the elongated articles may include semi-rigid articles or string-like articles such as a string of lights.
  • the device comprises a flared section and an elongated section, wherein the device is handheld and an elongated article can be fed through the flared section and through the elongated section such that the elongated article can be fed into packaging material as the elongated article exits the elongated section.
  • the flared section has a hollow interior defining a first passageway
  • the elongated section has a hollow interior defining a second passageway, wherein the first passageway communicates with the second passageway and the elongated section is longer than the flared section.
  • the flared section and the elongated section of the device are concentric and tubular.
  • the elongated section has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end have substantially the same width.
  • the flared section has a first end and a second end, wherein the second end has a larger width than the first end, and the second end of the elongated section adjoins the first end of the flared section.
  • the first end of the elongated section and the second end of the flared section of the device each have a ridge that is substantially smooth. Further, each ridge is annular and concentric with their respective sections of the device.
  • a system for storing at least one elongated article also is provided.
  • the system comprises the device of the present invention and packaging material.
  • the packaging material comprises an elongated sheath of non-rigid material.
  • certain embodiments of the invention comprise systems where the packaging material is a roll of packaging material that abuts the flared section while surrounding the elongated section.
  • Such system further comprise the ridge on the first end of the elongated section, while allowing movement of the roll onto the elongated section, resists movement of the roll off of the elongated section.
  • a method for storing an elongated article also is provided.
  • the method of the present invention comprises providing a device of the present invention, providing packaging material of the present invention, placing the packaging material over the elongated section of the device, inserting the elongated article into the flared section of the device, through the flared section, through the elongated section, and out of the elongated section, and as the elongated article is exiting the device, unraveling the packaging material off of the elongated section such that the elongated article is threaded into the packaging material.
  • the method further comprises when the elongated article is fully enshrouded in the packaging material, if there remains additional packaging material on the device, cutting the packaging material such that the additional packaging material remains on the elongated section of the device.
  • the method further comprises clipping one or both ends of the elongated article to the packaging material in a non-permanent manner.
  • a method for storing a plurality of elongated articles also is provided.
  • This method comprises providing sufficient packaging material for storing a plurality of elongated articles, and after a first elongated articles is inserted into the device and threaded into packaging material, cutting the packaging material, inserting and threading at least a second elongated article, and cutting the packaging material in accordance with the method of the present invention, then inserting and threading any additional elongated articles into the packaging material, and cutting the packaging material in accordance with the method of the present invention until there are no more elongated articles to store or there exists insufficient packaging material remaining on the device.
  • Fig. 1 is a side view of an exemplary string of Christmas lights
  • Fig. 2 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the device of the present invention
  • Fig. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of packaging material of the system of the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a side view of the device of Figure 2 in cooperation with the packaging material of Figure 3
  • Fig. 5 is a side view of the device of Figure 2 and the packaging material of Figure 3 in cooperation with the exemplary string of Christmas lights of Figure 1 ;
  • Fig. 6 is a top view of an exemplary string of Christmas lights enshrouded in the packaging material of Figure 3;
  • Fig. 7 is an isometric view of the device of Figure 2 in cooperation with a roll of packaging material
  • Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the device of Figure 2; Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the device of Figure 2; and Fig. 10 is a side view of the device of Figure 2.
  • FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the device 100 of the present invention.
  • the device 100 of the present invention is a tubular device 100 having a first elongated section 10 and a second flared section 20, wherein the elongated section 10 is longer than the flared section 20.
  • the elongated section 10 has a first end 12 and a second end 14, wherein the first end 12 has substantially the same diameter as the second end 14.
  • the flared section 20 has a first end 22 and a second end 24, whereas the second end 24 has a larger diameter than the first end 22.
  • both the elongated section 10 and the flared section 20 are hollow and are concentric, i.e., have longitudinal axes that are concentric.
  • both ends 12 and 24 of the tubular device 100 have a ridge 18 and 28, respectively, each having a relatively smooth, rounded surface such that the tubular device 100 has no sharp edges.
  • the tubular device 100 of the present invention can be comprised of any material suitable for handling by hand such as a rigid plastic material, e.g., polypropylene.
  • tubular device 100 has an elongated section 10 having a diameter of approximately two inches and a length of approximately ten inches, and a flared section 20 having a second end 24 that has a diameter of approximately four inches, the flared section 20 having a length of approximately two and one quarter inches. Further, the thickness of the tubular device may be about 1/8 inch for example.
  • Figure 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the packaging material 200 of the system of the present invention.
  • this packaging material 200 is an elongated, hollow sheath of material.
  • the packaging material 200 has a thickness of about 0.002 inch to about 0.006 inch, for example, such as about 0.003 inch, and a width, when flat, of approximately four inches, for example.
  • the packaging material 200 may comprise a thin, light-weight and flaccid plastic material, such as a polyethylene material, for example.
  • Figure 4 is a side view of the device of Figure 2 in cooperation with the packaging material of Figure 3. In operation, the packaging material 200 is placed on the tubular device 100 before the string of lights 80 can be stored in the packaging material 200.
  • the packaging material 200 is placed over the ridge 18 at the first end 12 of the tubular device 100 and pushed down toward the flared section 20 so that the result is as shown in Figure 4.
  • the packaging material 200 is not rigid so that it can be placed over the tubular device 100 and over a string of lights to conveniently store the lights, and durable so that it can store strings of lights 80 without damaging the lights 84 and be used repeatedly with the tubular device 100 of the present invention.
  • the lights 80 By storing the lights 80 in elongate, hollow, non-rigid material 200, the lights 84 do not tangle with each other.
  • the smoothness of the ridge 18 at the first end 12 of the tubular device 100 facilitates the ease of use of the invention such as by facilitating motion of the packaging material 200 on and off of the tubular device 100.
  • the smoothness of both ridges 18 and 28 also makes the tubular device 100 user-friendly, e.g., by making the device 100 easier to handle during use.
  • ridge 28 also helps stability of the tubular device 100 when placed on a surface via the second end 24 of the flared section 20.
  • One reason for this benefit is that ridge 28 (as well as with ridge 18) extends from the exterior surface of the flared section 20, thereby making a wider base for the device 100.
  • Figure 5 is a side view of the device of Figure 2 and the packaging material 200 of Figure 2 in cooperation with the exemplary string of holiday lights 80 of Figure 1.
  • the string of lights 80 is extended or "fed” into the flared section 20 of the tubular device 100, through the elongated section 10, and out the first end 12 of the elongated section 10 at ridge 18.
  • the string of lights 80 is exiting the tubular device 100, the user starts to unravel the packaging material 200 off of the tubular device 200 over the ridge 18 in the same direction as the string of lights 80.
  • the string of lights 80 is threaded into the packaging material 200 and this continues as the packaging material 200 unravels until the string of lights 80 is fully covered by and conveniently placed in the packaging material 200.
  • any remaining packaging material 200 may simply be cut by any means known in the art, e.g., with scissors, and clipped. Further, to facilitate the threading operation, one should begin threading a string of lights 80 with the plug 86 end and affix the starting end of the string of lights 80 to the packaging material 200 by any means known in the art, such as a clip 90. Further, the present invention allows for multiple strings of lights 80 to be placed in the tubular device 100 at one time and thus stored in the same section of packaging material 200.
  • Figure 6 shows a top view of a string of lights 80 fully enshrouded in packaging material 200.
  • the string of lights 80 and packaging material is relatively loosely rolled up as it may be prior to being stored, e.g., in a box.
  • one merely unclips the string from the packaging material 200 and unthreads the packaging material 200 from the string of lights 80.
  • the lights are immediately ready for use, and the packaging material 200 also can be re-used in conjunction with the device 100 of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the device 100 of Figure 2 in cooperation with a roll 200A of packaging material 200.
  • roll 200A is a wound up, hollow bundle of packaging material 200.
  • the packaging material 200 of the present invention can be cut to accommodate strings of lights 80 of various lengths, one can purchase packaging material 200 of various lengths or of a length much longer than what is needed for a single string of lights 80, such as in the form of roll 200A.
  • roll 200A has an exterior portion 210A and an interior portion 220A defining a passageway 222A.
  • the tubular device 100 is especially suited for housing a roll 200A of packaging material 200 when the device 100 extends through the passageway 222A of the roll 200A when the roll 200A is mounted on the device 100.
  • ridge 18 on the first end 12 of the tubular device 100 because it extends from the outer surface of the elongated section 10, can be used to hold the roll 200A of packaging material 200 on the tubular device 100 after the roll 200A is slid over the ridge 18.
  • the flared section 20 of the tubular device 100 can be used to hold the roll 200A of packaging material 200 on the tubular device 100 when the device 100 is placed on a surface via the second end 24 of the flared section 20, or merely held or carried with the flared section 20 down, as shown in Figure 2.
  • Figures 8, 9 and 10 depict additional views of the device of the present invention.
  • Figure 8 is a top plan view
  • Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the device of present invention.
  • the hollow interiors 50 of both the elongated section 10 and the flared section 20 are shown.
  • Figure 10 shows device without the packaging material 200 or the string of lights 80.
  • the device 100, system and method of the present invention make it easy for one to store their holiday lights so that upon their next use, the lights they can be readily removed from their storage location and packaging material 200 and readily set up without dealing with tangles or knots.
  • the fact that the device 100 and system is handheld allows one to store a string of lights 80 easily and in any location, i.e., both indoors and outdoors and in the types of location where lights may be used, e.g., on or around trees, houses, bushes and lawn ornaments.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)

Abstract

Dispositif de stockage d'articles allongés. Les articles allongés peuvent comprendre des articles semi-rigides ou des articles du type ficelle, tels qu'une guirlande de lampes. Le dispositif portatif comprend une section évasée et une section allongée et un article allongé peut être amené à travers la section évasée et à travers la section allongée de telle sorte que l'article allongé puisse être placé dans une matière d'emballage lorsqu'il sort de la section allongée. La section évasée présente un intérieur creux définissant un premier passage et la section allongée présente un intérieur creux définissant un deuxième passage, dans lequel le premier passage communique avec le deuxième passage, et la section allongée est plus longue que la section évasée. De plus, la section évasée et la section allongée sont concentriques et tubulaires. La section allongée présente une première extrémité et une deuxième extrémité, dans lequel la première extrémité et la deuxième extrémité ont sensiblement la même largeur. La section évasée présente une première extrémité et une deuxième extrémité, la largeur de la deuxième extrémité étant plus grande que celle de la première extrémité, et la deuxième extrémité de la section allongée rejoignant la première extrémité de la section évasée. De plus, les deux extrémités du dispositif comportent une moulure qui est sensiblement lisse et chaque moulure est annulaire et concentrique à sa section respective du dispositif. L'invention concerne aussi un système de stockage d'articles allongés. Le système comprend le dispositif et la matière d'emballage, la matière d'emballage comprenant une gaine allongée constituée d'une matière non rigide. En outre, l'invention concerne également un procédé de stockage d'articles allongés.
PCT/US2007/063072 2006-03-03 2007-03-01 Dispositif, systeme et procede de stockage d'articles du type ficelle Ceased WO2007103729A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US77888106P 2006-03-03 2006-03-03
US60/778,881 2006-03-03
US11/484,968 2006-07-12
US11/484,968 US20070205209A1 (en) 2006-03-03 2006-07-12 Device, system and method for storing string-like articles

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007103729A2 true WO2007103729A2 (fr) 2007-09-13
WO2007103729A3 WO2007103729A3 (fr) 2008-11-13

Family

ID=38470617

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2007/063072 Ceased WO2007103729A2 (fr) 2006-03-03 2007-03-01 Dispositif, systeme et procede de stockage d'articles du type ficelle

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20070205209A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2007103729A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7966792B1 (en) 2009-04-23 2011-06-28 Hills Gary B Device for encasing light strings for storage
GB201506182D0 (en) * 2015-04-13 2015-05-27 Composite Technology & Applic Ltd Bagging apparatus

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1949298A (en) * 1932-12-17 1934-02-27 Southern Asbestos Company Method of making heat insulating tape
US2741884A (en) * 1952-01-08 1956-04-17 Charles H Best Packaging apparatus
US2847805A (en) * 1956-05-04 1958-08-19 Ernest B Robbins Method for packaging cut trees
US2989828A (en) * 1958-09-04 1961-06-27 Flex O Glass Inc Plastic plant package
US3380200A (en) * 1964-10-12 1968-04-30 Ralph S. Kirwin Drill grinding machine
US4003122A (en) * 1975-12-29 1977-01-18 Francesville Drain Tile Corporation Apparatus and method for applying filter to a drainage tubing
US4280314A (en) * 1979-09-07 1981-07-28 Modern Mfg. Co., Inc. Device for packaging elongated articles
US4324087A (en) * 1980-03-28 1982-04-13 Oxford Industries, Inc. Garment bagging system
US4987724A (en) * 1989-10-23 1991-01-29 Rutherford Cathy O Method of packaging Christmas lighting
US5064970A (en) * 1990-02-05 1991-11-12 Ford Motor Company Method and apparatus for installing/dressing a wiring harness
US6009688A (en) * 1998-11-10 2000-01-04 Pedersen; Stephen F. System for packaging and storing specialty lighting and elongated items of narrow width

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20070205209A1 (en) 2007-09-06
WO2007103729A3 (fr) 2008-11-13

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