An article packaging kit, system and method which system includes a flat, corrugated, cardboard sheet material having a central horizontal fold line and two vertical fold lines to define a base and two end portion. The system includes a flexible plastic sleeve or tube which loosely fits about a portion of the base of the sheet material in the flat condition. The sheet material moves between a horizontal line folded position when an article to be packaged is inserted within the sleeve and a flat, article hugging, immobilizing position when the end portions are folded upwardly causing the base portion to become flat. The system includes optionally inserting the immobilized article on the folded sheet material into a packaging or shipping container.
|
1. A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article to be packaged within an outer container, and which kit comprises in combination;
a) a relatively stiff sheet material of defined width and length, having a base portion to hold the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded upwardly at either end of the base portion, the sheet material having a horizontal fold line along its length to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, non-use position and a second, folded article insertion position and having first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally non-use flat position and a folded up position wherein the sheet material includes a horizontal fold line substantially the length of the sheet material; and b) a means including film tube dimensioned and adapted to be placed about the exterior sheet material and about the base portion, in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the flat position, and to fit snugly about the article on the base portion in the article-immobilization position, whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the material of the film tube means, when the sheet material is in the folded article insertion position and when the end portions are folded upwardly and the sheet material is placed in a generally flat position to immobilize the article by the film tube means by hugging the article on the base portion.
3. The kit of
5. The kit of
6. The kit of
7. The kit of
8. The kit of
9. The kit of
10. The kit of
11. A method for the immobilization of an article for packaging within an outer container, which method comprises:
a) providing a packaging kit as set forth in b) placing the means including a film tube about the base portion of the sheet material; c) folding the sheet material on the horizontal fold line to place the sheet material in an article-insertion position and to permit the means including a film tube to blouse outwardly from the base portion of the sheet material; d) inserting the article to be immobilized between the base portion and the interior of the bloused-out film tube means; and e) folding the end portions of the sheet material upwardly and general perpendicularly on the first and second vertical score lines to place the sheet material in a generally flat position, and to cause the means including a film tube to move against and hug the inserted articles, and thereby to immobilize the article on the base portion of the sheet material.
12. The method of
13. The method of
14. The method of
16. A method for the immobilization of an article to be packaged within a container, comprising:
sliding a film tube over a relatively stiff sheet material having a central base portion and outer end portions on opposite ends of the base portion so that at least the central base portion is encircled by the film tube; folding the sheet material along at least one horizontal fold line substantially the length of the sheet material between a generally flat orientation and an angled orientation so that an article receiving space is formed between the sheet material and the film tube; inserting the article into the article receiving space and placing the article on the base portion; folding at least one of the end portions into an article immobilizing position along at least one vertical fold line between the end portion and the base portion so that the sheet material is returned to the generally flat position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line and the film tube is tightened against the article so that the article is immobilized between the film tube and the base portion; and inserting the immobilized article, sheet material with the at least one end portion in the generally vertical position, and film tube into the container. 17. The method of a relatively stiff sheet of material of defined width and length, having a base portion adapted to support the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded into an article immobilizing orientation, the sheet material having at least one horizontal fold line along its length, substantially the length of the sheet material, to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, position and a second, article insertion folded position, and having at least first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally flat position and an article immobilizing oriented folded position; and tube means for flexibly encircling at least a part of the base portion of the sheet material in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the generally flat position and to fit snugly about the article on the base portion when the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position; whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the tube means when the sheet material is in the second, article insertion folded position and when the end portions are folded to their article immobilizing oriented folded position, the sheet material returns to its generally flat first position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line to immobilize the article by the tube means hugging the article on the base portion. 24. The packaging kit of claim 23, wherein the article immobilizing orientation folded position of the end portions is a generally vertical orientation substantially perpendicular to the generally flat first position of the sheet material.
5. The packaging kit of claim 24, wherein the relatively stiff sheet of material has first and second pairs of spaced-apart generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally flat position and a vertically oriented folded position. 26. The packaging kit of claim 23, wherein the tube means is dimensioned to encircle substantially all of the base portion. 27. The packaging kit of claim 23, wherein the tube means is dimensioned to encircle the base portion of the sheet material and some of each of the end portions. 28. The packaging kit of claim 23, wherein the relatively stiff sheet of material is formed of corrugated cardboard. 29. The packaging kit of claim 23, wherein the tube means includes a flexible, stretchable, plastic film tube. 30. The packaging kit of claim 29, wherein the film tube is formed of a transparent poly-ethylene film. 31. The packaging kit of claim 23, further including a container adapted to receive the packaging kit when the end portions are in the vertical orientation. 32. The packaging kit of claim 23 wherein the horizontal fold line runs down the center of the sheet material. 33. The packaging kit of claim 23 wherein the end portions have a width dimension, perpendicular to the length of the sheet material substantially the same as the base portion's width dimension. 34. A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article, comprising: a relatively stiff sheet of material of defined width and length, having a base portion adapted to support the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded into an article immobilizing orientation, the sheet material having at least one horizontal fold line along its length substantially the length of the sheet material to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, position and a second, article insertion folded position, and having at least first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally horizontal position and an article immobilizing oriented folded position; tube means for flexibly encircling at least a part of the base portion of the sheet material in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the generally flat position without the article being present on the base portion and when the article is on the base portion in the article insertion folded position and in a snug fit about the article on the base portion when the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position and the base portion is in the flat position; and container means for receiving the immobilized article, sheet material and tube means when the article rests on the base portion of the material sheet, the tube means encircles the at least a part of the base portion and the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position; whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the tube means when the sheet material is in the second, article insertion folded position and the article is immobilized when the end portions are folded to their article immobilizing oriented folded position and the sheet material returns to its generally flat first position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line, by the tube means hugging the article on the base portion, and the immobilized article, tube means and sheet material may be received within the container means. 35. The packaging kit of claim 34, wherein the article immobilization orientation is a generally vertical orientation substantially perpendicular to the generally flat first position of the sheet material. 36. The packaging kit of claim 35, wherein the relatively stiff sheet of material has at least first and second pairs of spaced-apart generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally flat position and a vertically oriented folded position. 37. The packaging kit of claim 34, wherein the tube means is dimensioned to encircle substantially all of the base portion. 38. The packaging kit of claim 34, wherein the tube means is dimensioned to encircle the base portion of the sheet material and some of each of the end portions. 39. The packaging kit of claim 34, wherein the relatively stiff sheet of material is formed of corrugated cardboard. 0. The packaging kit of
the same as the base portion's width dimension. 45. A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article to be packaged within an outer container, and which kit comprises in combination; (a) a relatively stiff sheet material of defined width and length, having a base portion to hold the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded upwardly at either end of the base portion, the sheet material having a horizontal fold line along its length to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, non-use position and a second, folded article insertion position and having first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally non-use flat position and a folded up position; and (b) a means including film tube dimensioned and adapted to be placed about the exterior sheet material and about the base portion, in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the flat position, and to fit snugly about the article on the base portion in the article-immobilization position, wherein the film tube means has a length slightly greater than the length of the base portion, so that each end of the film tube is folded over when the end portions are placed in an upright position, whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the material of the film tube means, when the sheet material is in the folded article insertion position and when the end portions are folded upwardly and the sheet material is placed in a generally flat position to immobilize the article by the film tube means by hugging the article on the base portion. 46. A method for the immobilization of an article to be packaged within a container, comprising: sliding a film tube over a relatively stiff sheet material having a central base portion and outer end portions on opposite ends of the base portion so that at least the central base portion is encircled by the film tube, wherein the film tube is slid over the central base portion and at least a part of each of the outer end portions of the relatively stiff sheet material; folding the sheet material along at least one horizontal fold line so that an article receiving space is formed between the sheet material and the film tube; inserting the article into the article receiving space and placing the article on the base portion; folding at least one of the end portions into an article immobilizing position along at least one vertical fold line between the end portion and the base portion so that the sheet material is returned to the generally flat position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line and the film tube is tightened against the article so that the article is immobilized between the film tube and the base portion; and inserting the immobilized article, sheet material with the at least one end portion in the generally vertical position, and film tube into the container. 47. A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article, comprising: a relatively stiff sheet of material of defined width and length, having a base portion adapted to support the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded into an article immobilizing orientation, the sheet material having at least one horizontal fold line along its length to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, position and a second, article insertion folded position, and having at least first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally flat position and an article immobilizing oriented folded position wherein the article immobilizing orientation folded position of the end portions is a generally vertical orientation, wherein the relatively stiff sheet of material has first and second pairs of spaced-apart generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally flat position and a vertically oriented folded position; and tube means for flexibly encircling at least a part of the base portion of the sheet material in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the generally flat position and to fit snugly about the article on the base portion when the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position; whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the tube means when the sheet material is in the second, article insertion folded position and when the end portions are folded to their article immobilizing oriented folded position, the sheet material returns to its generally flat first position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line to immobilize the article by the tube means hugging the article on the base portion. 48. A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article, comprising: a relatively stiff sheet of material of defined width and length, having a base portion adapted to support the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded into an article immobilizing orientation, the sheet material having at least one horizontal fold line along its length to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, position and a second, article insertion folded position, and having at least first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally flat position and an article immobilizing oriented folded position; and tube means for flexibly encircling at least a part of the base portion of the sheet material in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the generally flat position and to fit snugly about the article on the base portion when the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position, wherein the tube means is dimensioned to encircle the base portion of the sheet material and some of each of the end portions; whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the tube means when the sheet material is in the second, article insertion folded position and when the end portions are folded to their article immobilizing oriented folded position, the sheet material returns to its generally flat first position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line to immobilize the article by the tube means hugging the article on the base portion. 49. A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article, comprising: a relatively stiff sheet of material of defined width and length, having a base portion adapted to support the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded into an article immobilizing orientation, the sheet material having at least one horizontal fold line along its length to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, position and a second, article insertion folded position, and having at least first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally horizontal position and an article immobilizing oriented folded position, wherein the article immobilizing orientation is a generally vertical orientation, wherein the relatively stiff sheet of material has at least first and second pairs of spaced-apart generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally flat position and a vertically oriented folded position; tube means for flexibly encircling at least a part of the base portion of the sheet material in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the generally flat position without the article being present on the base portion and when the article is on the base portion in the article insertion folded position and in a snug fit about the article on the base portion when the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position and the base portion is in the flat position; and container means for receiving the immobilized article, sheet material and tube means when the article rests on the base portion of the material sheet, the tube means encircles the at least a part of the base portion and the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position; whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the tube means when the sheet material is in the second, article insertion folded position and the article is immobilized when the end portions are folded to their article immobilizing oriented folded position and the sheet material returns to its generally flat first position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line, by the tube means hugging the article on the base portion, and the immobilized article, tube means and sheet material may be received within the container means. 50. A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article, comprising: a relatively stiff sheet of material of defined width and length, having a base portion adapted to support the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded into an article immobilizing orientation, the sheet material having at least one horizontal fold line along its length to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, position and a second, article insertion folded position, and having at least first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally horizontal position and an article immobilizing oriented folded position; tube means for flexibly encircling at least a part of the base portion of the sheet material in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the generally flat position without the article being present on the base portion and when the article is on the base portion in the article insertion folded position and in a snug fit about the article on the base portion when the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position and the base portion is in the flat position, wherein the tube means is dimensioned to encircle the base portion of the sheet material and some of each of the end portions; and container means for receiving the immobilized article, sheet material and tube means when the article rests on the base portion of the material sheet, the tube means encircles the at least a part of the base portion and the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position; whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the tube means when the sheet material is in the second, article insertion folded position and the article is immobilized when the end portions are folded to their article immobilizing oriented folded position and the sheet material returns to its generally flat first position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line, by the tube means hugging the article on the base portion, and the immobilized article, tube means and sheet material may be received within the container means. 51. A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article, comprising: a relatively stiff sheet of material of defined width and length, having a base portion adapted to support the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded into an article immobilizing orientation, the sheet material having at least one horizontal fold line along its length to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, position and a second, article insertion folded position, and having at least first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally horizontal position and an article immobilizing oriented folded position, wherein the end portions have a width dimension, perpendicular to the length of the sheet material substantially the same as the base portion's width dimension; tube means for flexibly encircling at least a part of the base portion of the sheet material in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the generally flat position without the article being present on the base portion and when the article is on the base portion in the article insertion folded position and in a snug fit about the article on the base portion when the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position and the base portion is in the flat position; and container means for receiving the immobilized article, sheet material and tube means when the article rests on the base portion of the material sheet, the tube means encircles the at least a part of the base portion and the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position; whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the tube means when the sheet material is in the second, article insertion folded position and the article is immobilized when the end portions are folded to their article immobilizing oriented folded position and the sheet material returns to its generally flat first position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line, by the tube means hugging the article on the base portion, and the immobilized article, tube means and sheet material may be received within the container means. |
|||||||||||||||||
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the components of a packaging kit in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention with the article inserted in position to be immobilized. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a sheet material 112 in an article insertion position with the flexible tube material 20 about the article 26, with the sheet material 112 folded on the horizontal fold line 14 to allow tube 20 to fit loosely around article 26. When end portion 30 is folded downwardly alone first vertical fold line 18 and upwardly along second vertical fold line 118, and end portion 32 is folded downwardly along first vertical fold line 16 and upwardly along second vertical fold line 116, the sheet material 112 flattens out, immobilizing article 26. In the immobilized position, sections 130 and 132 extend downwardly below base portion 28, suspending base portion 28 and article 26 from below. End portions 30 and 32 extend upwardly above article 26, protecting article 26 against contact from above. This creates a generally H-shaped structure, further protecting immobilized article 26. Alternatively, end portions 30, 32 may be folded upwardly along fold lines 18, 16 and downwardly along lines 118, 116.
As described and illustrated, the packaging kit, system and method permits the sheet material 12 and the tube 20 to be stored flat for high density storage and permits for a universal application, since the film tube or sleeve 20 may be stretched over the article being packaged, and one kit could package a variety of items or the kit can be produced in various sizes to cover a wide variety of packaging items. The kit components are environmentally acceptable and sound since they can be made from recycled plastic film material for the tube or sleeve and the sheet material may constitute a stiffened paper or corrugated reusable cardboard. Further, the kit components may be separately removed by placing the kit components in the article article receiving position and recovering the tube 20 and the sheet material 12 while the kit components are easily recyclable since there is no attachment of the flexible film tube 20 to the sheet material 12 except in the outstretched position of the article immobilizing position.
| Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
| 10035638, | Aug 12 2013 | ADE, INC. | Retention package with article-loading aperture and method of making and using the same |
| 10315829, | Sep 14 2012 | Multi-layered suspension package assembly | |
| 10392156, | Apr 10 2017 | Return shipping system | |
| 10442597, | Aug 12 2013 | ADE, INC. | Retention package with article-loading aperture and method of making and using the same |
| 10800560, | Aug 04 2015 | TAIYO SHIGYO CO , LTD ; NISSANKIKO CO , LTD ; TOMOKU CO , LTD | Packaging kit, package, packaging method using packaging kit, packaging kit manufacturing apparatus, and packaging kit manufacturing method |
| 11124348, | Mar 21 2014 | Heat sealed packaging assemblies and methods of producing and using the same | |
| 6308828, | May 26 2000 | Emerging Technologies Trust | Package kit and method |
| 6311843, | Oct 01 1999 | MOTION DESIGN, INC | Packaging boxes and components with internal resilient elements |
| 6490844, | Jun 21 2001 | Emerging Technologies Trust | Film wrap packaging apparatus and method |
| 6609693, | Dec 06 2001 | Hanger combination for displaying merchandise | |
| 6923324, | May 17 2002 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Packaging system |
| 7296681, | Dec 23 2004 | Clearpak, LLC | Suspension packaging system |
| 7731028, | Sep 02 2003 | Shipping package system for fragile panels | |
| 7731032, | Jul 31 2000 | Clearpak, LLC | Suspension packaging assembly |
| 7743924, | Jul 31 2000 | Clearpak, LLC | Suspension packaging assembly |
| 7753209, | Apr 27 2006 | Clearpak, LLC | Suspension package assembly |
| 7775367, | Jul 31 2000 | Clearpak, LLC | Suspension packaging assembly |
| 7882956, | Nov 15 2004 | Clearpak, LLC | Suspension packaging system |
| 7931151, | Dec 23 2004 | Clearpak, LLC | Suspension packaging system |
| 8028838, | Mar 16 2007 | Clearpak, LLC | Suspension package assembly |
| 8123039, | Jul 31 2000 | Clearpak, LLC | Suspension packaging assembly |
| 8177067, | Dec 23 2004 | Clearpak, LLC | Suspension packaging system |
| 8235216, | Dec 05 2006 | Clearpak, LLC | Suspension packaging assembly |
| 8499937, | Dec 23 2004 | Clearpak, LLC | Suspension packaging system |
| 8505731, | Jul 31 2000 | Clearpak, LLC | Suspension packaging assembly |
| 8627958, | Jul 02 2008 | Clearpak, LLC | Suspension packaging system |
| 8752707, | Aug 19 2010 | Clearpak, LLC | Foldable packaging member and packaging system using foldable packaging members |
| 8820532, | Apr 06 2012 | Quick Cable Corporation | Leak-proof packaging for wet batteries |
| 9027752, | Sep 02 2003 | Suspension packaging system and method | |
| 9067722, | Sep 14 2012 | Clearpak, LLC | Multi-layered suspension package assembly |
| 9199761, | Oct 28 2013 | Compressible packaging assembly | |
| 9265361, | Aug 20 2014 | TARGET BRANDS, INC | Merchandise hanger, associated assemblies, and methods |
| 9352891, | Dec 28 2012 | ADE, INC. | Suspension packaging structures and methods of making and using the same |
| 9463915, | Oct 28 2013 | Compressible packaging assembly |
| Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
| 1936951, | |||
| 2031381, | |||
| 2707553, | |||
| 2802565, | |||
| 2919797, | |||
| 3089590, | |||
| 3424306, | |||
| 3507383, | |||
| 3540579, | |||
| 3669337, | |||
| 3718275, | |||
| 3891090, | |||
| 3905474, | |||
| 3966046, | Mar 05 1974 | SIG Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft | Wrapper assembly including an article carrier element |
| 4030603, | Jun 18 1973 | Angell and Associates | Protective package and method therefor |
| 4306653, | Mar 03 1980 | Method and apparatus for packaging fragile articles | |
| 4307804, | Mar 06 1980 | WALDORF CORPORATION A CORP OF DELAWARE | Secure product-to-card or card type package having preapplied heat shrinkable plastic film |
| 4494689, | Jul 14 1983 | Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. | Carryout food tray |
| 4757900, | Feb 03 1986 | SAVOYE NOUVELLE SOCIETE ANONYME AKA SAVOYE N S A | Packing case and method of preparation |
| 5086925, | Mar 12 1990 | SOCIETE ANONYME DITE : OTOR AYANT SON SIEGE SOCIAL | Packaging made of card or similar material for packing a plurality of objects, a blank for making such packaging by folding, and a method of manufacturing the blank |
| 5325967, | May 28 1992 | Packaging device using membrane, platform and aperture as a means of restraint | |
| 5388701, | Nov 22 1993 | Sealed Air Corporation | Suspension packaging |
| CA691904, | |||
| GB1266593, | |||
| JP3100158, | |||
| JP4959982, | |||
| JP4977087, | |||
| JP50102778, | |||
| JP50107583, | |||
| JP5088376, | |||
| JP57177969, |
| Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
| Oct 08 1998 | JONES, WILLIAM CHARLES | Emerging Technologies Trust | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 009564 | /0918 |
| Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
| Dec 11 2001 | M284: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Yr, Small Entity. |
| Jan 14 2002 | LTOS: Pat Holder Claims Small Entity Status. |
| Jun 13 2002 | ASPN: Payor Number Assigned. |
| Dec 15 2005 | M2553: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 12th Yr, Small Entity. |
| Date | Maintenance Schedule |
| Nov 30 2002 | 4 years fee payment window open |
| May 30 2003 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| Nov 30 2003 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
| Nov 30 2005 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
| Nov 30 2006 | 8 years fee payment window open |
| May 30 2007 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| Nov 30 2007 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
| Nov 30 2009 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
| Nov 30 2010 | 12 years fee payment window open |
| May 30 2011 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| Nov 30 2011 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
| Nov 30 2013 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |