Laminate Packaging

Abstract

The invention relates to stacks of panels (1), in particular, laminated panels, packaged for transport or storage. Said stack comprises several coated panels, for example, laminated panels, panels made from plywood, fibreboard or wood panels. The stack further comprises a packaging, with at least one strap (3), going around the stack and/or at least one retainer element (2), on the front side of the stack for fixing the panels. For example, the strap or the retainer element are provided in addition to further packaging elements, such as shrink-wrap or cardboard completely or partly enclosing the panels. The retainer element can, for example, be fixed to the stack and enclose the front face of the stack. By means of both measures, either individually or in combination, the withdrawal and removal of single panels from the stack is hindered or prevented. For example the strap can run perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the panels. The strap can also be of elastic embodiment and applied such as to hold the individual panels tight. In a further embodiment, the strap lies so tightly on the stack that on withdrawing a panel, in particular, the outer panel, said strap is tipped in the longitudinal direction of the stack and thus tightens preventing a further withdrawal. By arrangement of the strap perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the stack, the possibility of stacking several stacks on top of each other is not affected.

Description

The present invention relates to stacks of panels, in particular laminate panels packaged for transport and storage. Generally, laminate panels are packaged in layered stacks of, for example, 4 to 10 panels. The stacks are generally shrink-wrapped in transparent foil and/or packed in specially shaped or folded packaging cardboard. The foils are, for example, shrink-foils based on polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene terephthalate. The packaging or foils, in accordance with the Packaging Ordinance, are made such that volume and mass are restricted to the immediately necessary amount. The packaging or foil has the disadvantage that it can be torn easily by hand or a pointed object in order to remove individual panels.

This may be the case in a DIY store, for example. The cash-and-carry goods put on display in a DIY store are opened regularly by the customers in order to pull out individual panels partly or entirely, for example for a better assessment of the surface design. Moreover, in the case of vertical transport of the stacks in conjunction with the fact that the panels are sharp-edged, the foil may become overstressed in places and rip. These panels, in particular the outermost ones in the package, can later be put back in the packaging only with difficulty or not at all. Due to the suspicious attitude customers generally have with respect to opened retail packaging, namely with regard to the state and the quality of the goods, the opened stacks are generally difficult to sell.

In view of the above-described disadvantages, it is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a stack of panels that is improved with regard to packaging.

This object is achieved by a generic apparatus having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments follow from the dependent claims.

The stack according to the invention comprises several stacked panels. They are, for example, laminate panels, boards of plywood, fiberboards or wood panels. In addition, the stack has a packaging. In addition, means against the removal of the panels from the packaging are provided. These means, for example, constitute a comprehensive protection against damage to the packaging. Damage may arise, for example, due to mechanical impacts upon the packaging. These mechanical stresses arise, for example, during transport of the stack or by intentional impact on the packaging with a pointed object. In another embodiment, the means against the removal of the panels additionally restrict the freedom of movement of the panels within the stack and thus constitute an additional protection against the removal of individual panels from the packaging, compared to the conventional packaging. Advantageously, pulling out and taking out individual panels from the stack is thus made difficult or prevented.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the means against removal of the panels advantageously comprise a strap around the stack. The panels are fixed against each other by the strap. Removal in the direction of the course of the strap is not possible, or only after severing the strap. Furthermore, several straps can be provided. In one embodiment, the straps encircle the stack in the longitudinal and the transversal direction in order to secure the stack in all directions against individual panels being pulled out. The strap preferably consists of paper, polyethylene, polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate. In one embodiment, the strap may be imprinted so as to act, additionally, as an advertising medium. Its comparably firm fixing to the stack provides for the information provided on the strap or the advertising effect not getting lost.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the strap runs in transversally relative to the longitudinal direction of the panels. It has been found that thus, a shifting of the panels in a transversal direction relative to the course of the strap, i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the panels, is thus prevented to a sufficient extent and that, advantageously, additional straps in the longitudinal direction can be dispensed with. The strap is, for example, elastic, consists, for example, of stretch foil, and is designed so as to retain the individual panels in a clamping manner. In another embodiment, the strap lies around the stack so tightly that it jams and thus prevents in a clamping manner further pulling out when a panel is pulled out, in particular the outermost panels. The arrangement of the strap transversal relative to the longitudinal direction of the stack has no adverse effect upon the stackability of several stacks on top of each other. For example, a single strap that is narrow compared with the stack and runs in the longitudinal direction is disadvantageous in that the stacks do not overlie each other flatly due to the thickness of the strap, and that thus, several stacks lie on top of each other in an unstable manner, i.e. not flatly, which in the end has a negative influence on the maximum stacking height. The latter is particularly disadvantageous especially in DIY stores because, on the one hand, the public may not be endangered, and, on the other hand, the display area is valuable. Moreover, the strap is comparatively short because of this arrangement, which is an advantage in view of the above mentioned Packaging Ordinance and its general requirement of reduction of the quantity of packaging means contained therein.

In another advantageous embodiment, the strap is arranged at a distance to the side of the panel. This prevents the strap from slipping off the stack, in particular, when the panels are shifted relative to each other during transport. It was found that a distance of more than 5 cm between the strap and the side of the panel or the stack is sufficient for securing the strap against slipping off the stack in a sufficient degree at the usual mechanical strains the stack is exposed to, for example during transport. It was found in experiments that this ensures that the clamping effect of the strap can arise when a panel is pulled out. For example, if a panel is pulled out in the longitudinal direction towards the other end of the stack, the panel sections that remain behind the strap, as viewed in the reverse direction, suffice to ensure a jamming or clamping of the strap.

Another advantageous embodiment of the stack according to the invention provides, that the strap consists of polyvinyl chloride. This makes the strap comparatively inexpensive to produce.

In another embodiment, the strap advantageously consists of shrink foil. This is cold-drawn thermoplastic material that returns to its original state during thermal treatment. It is accomplished by this shrinking that the strap is seated firmly on the stack after cooling, so that it retains the panels in a clamping manner.

According to another embodiment, the strap has a width of at least 2 cm. Experiments have shown that this ensures a clamping retention of the straps and that, on the other hand, the amount of the packaging means within the sense of the packaging ordinance is not unnecessarily increased.

Another embodiment provides that the strap is substantially transparent. For example, the strap has transparent sections or is entirely transparent. Thus, for example, the surface of the panel may be inspected in spite of the strap, or product descriptions or laying instructions disposed between the strap and the panels can be studied.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the means against the removal of the panels advantageously comprise at least one retaining member mounted on one side of the stack. The retaining member prevents shifting of the panels relative to each other. The retaining member may, for example, be attached to the packaging, it may, for example, be molded into the packaging foil. The retaining member can be provided on its own and in combination with the aforementioned straps.

In one embodiment, the retaining member is attached to the respective narrow sides of the stack, and two straps encircling the stack run parallel to the narrow sides. The quantity of material required for securing the panels can advantageously be kept small by such a design of the means against removal.

According to another embodiment, the retaining member consists of cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard. For example, the retaining member is formed in a cardboard cover enveloping the end face of the stack. The thickness of the cardboard, at least at the sides of the retaining member that abut the end face of the stack, is selected so that, on the one hand, tearing by the sharp-edged panels located in the stack, and, on the other hand, tearing from the outside, be it due to manipulation or due to impacts, is prevented to a large extent. Corrugated cardboard is used in order to obtain a sufficient strength of the retaining member at comparatively small weight. The retaining member is fixed to the stack, for example, by the stack being shrink-wrapped together with the retaining member.

In another advantageous embodiment, the retaining member is formed trough-shaped. In this way, a particularly good fixing of the panels can be achieved, in particular, a secure storage of the panels is achieved if other packagings or the aforementioned straps have been removed.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the retaining member advantageously has a reinforcing member. This is provided, for example, at areas that are especially exposed to stress. For example, a retaining member of cardboard in which there are strips of plastic is provided. The stability of the retaining member can thus be particularly increased. On the one hand, the stability serves for increasing the durability of the retaining member against mechanical stresses due to the abutting panels. On the other hand, the strength of the retaining member against attempts to rip it or remove it from the stack is increased. It is thus not necessary to use more stable, but at the same time comparatively expensive retaining members or packagings instead.

In an advantageous embodiment, the reinforcing member runs at least along one of the narrow sides of the stack. It has been found that the stress is particularly high on the narrow sides, and that there is an inclination to tear open panel packagings on the narrow sides, especially.

In another advantageous embodiment, the reinforcing member is arranged in the vicinity of at least one corner of the stack. The corners of the stack, i.e. of the panels, have sharp edges. Therefor, the mechanical stress on the retaining member is particularly high in the area of the corners. Their stability is advantageously increased by the reinforcement.

In one embodiment, the reinforcing member, advantageously, is strap-shaped or strip-shaped. Thus the material necessary in connection with the reinforcement, and thus the quantities of packaging means, can advantageously be reduced in volume.

In another advantageous embodiment, the reinforcing member is advantageously arranged at least partially between the packaging and the stack. Thus, the exterior packaging can be protected from damage at least in that area, so as to reduce, inter alia, the danger of injury by exterior damaged parts of the packaging.

In another advantageous embodiment, the reinforcing member is advantageously at least glued together with parts of the retaining members. This ensures that the reinforcing member slips during transport or other mechanical strains on the stack. In one embodiment, the strap is glued into a piece of corrugated cardboard, which simplifies the production of the retaining member according to the invention in an advantageous manner.

Another embodiment provides that the strap and/or the retaining member are formed as an integral component of the packaging means. For example, the cardboard retaining member enveloping the end is formed integrally with a cardboard packaging that envelops the stack and is folded appropriately. The strap, for example, is formed as a thickened section in a foil enveloping the stack.

In one embodiment of the retaining member according to the invention, the reinforcing members consist of adhesive tape with the product designation Sesame® Tape CR-2348 or RPT® CR-2704B by the company Adalis, Vancouver, Wash. Sesame® Tape CR-2348, for example, has synthetic fibers as a carrier material, as well as a fracture strength of 68 kg and an extension value of 13% to 23%. RPT® CR-2704B has a synthetic foil material as a carrier. The adhesive is activated by heat, for example.

Regarding the Figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a section of the stack according to the invention in one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a top view on the retaining member according to FIG. 1 in an unfolded state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective representation of the retaining member according to FIG. 1 in a partially folded state.

FIG. 1 shows a stack of panels 1. In particular, they are laminate panels, the packaging of which requires much effort because of the multitude of sharp edges and protrusions due to the generally provided groove-and-tongue-connections. A trough-shaped retaining member 2 encases the panels 1. In FIG. 1, only one end of the panels 1 is shown framed by the retaining member 2. This end shown at the front in the illustration is only shown to be open for illustration purposes, and the retaining member 2 generally also envelops this end, as well, in a trough-shape. A strap 3, which additionally fixes the panels 1, is conducted around the stack of panels 1. Thus, the panels 1 can advantageously be prevented from being pulled out of the stack. The retaining member 2 forms a part of the protective packaging of the stack of panels 1. In addition, the stack can be shrink-wrapped in foil, which is not shown.

FIG. 2 shows details of the retaining member 2 of corrugated cardboard as used in FIG. 1. The predetermined shape of the retaining member 2 is obtained by punching it out from a section of cardboard and is shown in FIG. 2 in the state after having been punched out, i.e. in the unfolded state. The retaining member 2 has strips 2a and 2b running along the longitudinal side which, at the end shown, have extensions 2c and 2d that protrude over the bottom surface and can be folded in. The strips are folded up at the fold shown so as to form side walls 2a and 2b of the retaining member 2. A section 2e that lengthens the bottom surface and forms a side wall limiting the retaining member in the transversal direction when folded about the extensions 2c and 2d extends between the side walls. A strip-shaped reinforcing member 3 is glued onto the extension 2c. Although it is not shown, a reinforcing member is also generally provided on the extension 2d shown. This was not shown in FIG. 2 only for the sake of clarity. The reinforcing member 3, in another embodiment, may run along the side surfaces of the trough-shaped retaining member 2 in the form of a strap.

FIG. 2 shows details of the retaining member 2 according to the invention as used in FIG. 1. It is in the unfolded state. The retaining member 2 has vertical sidewalls 2a and 2b on the longitudinal side which, at the end shown, have extensions 2c and 2d that protrude over the bottom surface and can be folded in. The extensions 2c and 2d can be folded in to be flush with the narrow side of the bottom surface. A section 2e of the retaining member extended over the bottom surface can be folded around the folded-in extensions 2c and 2d in order to fix the extensions 2c and 2d and to form another side wall. Strip-shaped reinforcing members 4a and 4b are glued in within the sections of corrugated cardboard of the extensions 2c, 2d and of the section 2e. Because they cannot be seen, generally, from the outside, they are shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity. The reinforcing members 4a and 4b run along the folding edges of the retaining member in order not only to counteract the weakening of the corrugated cardboard caused by the fold, but to also strengthen it so that it can be torn only with difficulty along the fold, especially in the folded state of the retaining member 2.

FIG. 3 shows details of the retaining member 2 according to the invention in a partially folded state, as it is used in FIG. 1. The trough-shaped retaining member 2 has vertical sidewalls 2a and 2b on the longitudinal side which, at the end shown, have extensions 2c and 2d that protrude over the bottom surface and can be folded in. The extensions 2c and 2d can be folded in to be flush with the narrow side of the bottom surface. A section 2e of the retaining member extended over the bottom surface can be folded around the folded-in extensions 2c and 2d in order to fix the extensions 2c and 2d and to form another side wall. A surface, which more or less corresponds to the panel, just as that of the bottom surface does, is defined by the side walls thus formed. Strip-shaped reinforcing members 4a and 4b are glued in within the sections of corrugated cardboard of the extensions 2c, 2d and of the section 2e. Because they cannot be seen, generally, from the outside, they are shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity. The reinforcing members 4a and 4b in particular run along the folding edges of the retaining member in order not only to counteract the weakening of the corrugated cardboard caused by the fold, but to also strengthen it so that it can be torn only with difficulty along the fold, especially in the folded state of the retaining member 2.

Claims

1. Stack of several stacked panels, in particular laminate panels, with a packaging of the stack, with means against the removal of the panels from the packaging, wherein the means against the removal of the panels have at least one a retaining member, attached on one side of the stack, in particular the narrow side, and manufactured from cardboard provided with folds, as well as a strap-shaped or strip-shaped reinforcing member, the reinforcing member being arranged at least partially between the packaging and the stack and along at least one of the folding edges of the retaining member, so that the weakening due to the fold is counteracted and that the folding edge is reinforced.

2. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the means against the removal of the panels further comprise at least one strap around the stack.

3. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the strap runs transversally relative to the longitudinal direction of the panels.

4. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the strap is arranged at a distance to a side of the panel.

5. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the strap consists of polyvinyl chloride.

6. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the strap consists of shrinking foil.

7. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the strap has a width of at least 2 cm.

8. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the strap is substantially transparent.

9. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member is formed trough-shaped.

10. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member runs at least along one of the narrow sides of the stack.

11. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member covers the corners of the stack.

12. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is glued to at least parts of the retaining member.

13. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the strap and/or the retaining member are formed as an integral component of the packaging.