CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of German Patent Applications No. 10 2021 134 047.0, filed 2021 Dec. 21, and No. 10 2022 105 515.9, filed 2022 Mar. 9, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The disclosure relates to a package cushioning for padding an article to be packaged in an outer box.
BACKGROUND
Package cushioning is used to protect articles during shipment. Vibration and impact shock during shipment and loading/unloading are controlled by cushioning to reduce the chance of product damage.
Cushioning is usually inside a shipping container such as a corrugated box. It is designed to absorb shock by crushing and deforming, and to dampen vibration, rather than transmitting the shock and vibration to the protected article.
Internal packaging materials are also used for functions other than cushioning, such as to immobilize the products in the box and lock them in place, or to fill a void.
SUMMARY
A package cushioning comprises at least one base member, which is structured as follows: It comprises a base body in the form of a downwardly open half tube and at least two hump-shaped support members that are arranged on the outside of the half-tube, visibly facing each other there, and protrude on the outside of the base body with a height H above the high point on the inside of the downwardly open half tube. The opposing surfaces of the hump-shaped support members and their transition to one another on the outside of the downwardly open half tube are shaped in such a way that they jointly form an upwardly open channel section. The entire package cushioning, in particular each of the base members, is made in one piece with an average wall thickness from a waste paper fiber material.
The disclosure is based on the object of improving a known package cushioning, and a packaging with an outer box and said package cushioning, such that the rigidity of the package cushioning in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis is increased.
This object is achieved by the subject matter as claimed. Accordingly, the low point on the inside of the upwardly open channel section is spaced by the distance h with h>the simple wall thickness of the package cushioning or the base member from the high point H1 on the inside of the downwardly open half tube open.
The disclosed design of the distance h offers the advantage that it significantly increases the rigidity of the base member and possibly also that of the package cushioning, in particular in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis L. Furthermore, the package cushioning is no more expensive than expandable polystyrene (EPS), but in contrast to EPS it can be recycled because it is made from waste paper.
According to a first exemplary embodiment, this rigidity is particularly good or large when the distance h is greater than or equal to twice the wall thickness. At the same time, care should preferably be taken to ensure that the distance h is not selected to be greater than the height H, in order to ensure that the transition between the opposing support members does not exceed the support members themselves in terms of their height H above the high point H1.
Such a base member can generally be of any length, with the length preferably being adapted to the length of the article to be packaged.
The terms “down”, “up”, “downwardly” and “upwardly” and accordingly the terms “lower side” and “upper side” refer to the spatial arrangement of the package cushioning or base member shown in FIG. 1. What can be seen in FIG. 3 in a plan view of the base member forms its upper side. Only a few areas of the lower side of the base member can be seen in FIG. 1, insofar as they can be seen through the cut-open hollow support members. FIG. 2 shows the lower side of the package cushioning as in FIG. 1.
The object of the disclosure is further achieved by a packaging for the article to be packaged, this packaging having an outer box and at least one package cushioning inserted on the inside of the outer box on its bottom for defining and delimiting a receiving space for the article to be packaged within the outer box. The advantages of this solution to the problem correspond to the advantages mentioned above in relation to the package cushioning.
Advantageous configurations of the package cushioning and the packaging are the subject matter of the dependent claims and can be combined with one another as far as technically feasible.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective upper side, longitudinal side and front view showing a first embodiment of a base member of a package cushioning;
FIG. 2 is a perspective lower side view of the base member of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3a is an upper side view of the base member according to FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view at point III-III of FIG. 3a;
FIG. 3c shows an end face of the base member as in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 3d is a cross sectional view through the base member along the longitudinal axis L-L of FIG. 3a;
FIG. 4 is a perspective upper side, longitudinal side and front view of a second embodiment of the base member with infill members between opposing hump-shaped support members;
FIG. 5 is a perspective lower side view of the base member as in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the base member at the point VI-VI of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the package cushioning, with a plurality of three base members are formed parallel to one another in one piece;
FIG. 8 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of the package cushioning in the form of a base member, with infill members being implemented alternately in the form of a bulge and an indentation;
FIG. 9 shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of the package cushioning, wherein two base member are connected to one another at a predetermined angle, here for example 90°, to form a corner member;
FIG. 10 shows a packaging for the article to be packaged with package cushioning applied to the inner sides of an outer box for defining and delimiting a receiving space for the article to be packaged within the outer box;
FIG. 11 shows the package cushioning in a sixth embodiment, wherein four base members are arranged parallel to one another, each standing on their support points or longitudinal sides;
FIG. 12 shows a perspective upper side view of the package cushioning or base member in a seventh embodiment with rib member between two adjacent support members in the longitudinal direction;
FIG. 13 shows a perspective lower side view of the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 shows an eighth embodiment of the package cushioning; and
FIG. 15 shows a detailed view of FIG. 14
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The invention is described in detail below with reference to the figures mentioned in the form of exemplary embodiments. Technical elements are denoted by the same reference symbols in all figures.
FIG. 1 shows a package cushioning 100′ for padding an article to be packaged in an outer box, with the package cushioning here comprising only one base member 100. The base member 100 has a base body in the form of a downwardly open half tube 110, on the outside of which hump-shaped support members 120 are attached. The hump-shaped support members 120 are in pairs opposite one another and project upwardly beyond the downwardly open half-tube 110. A transition 130 is formed between the opposing surfaces 122 of the hump-shaped support members 120. Together with the opposing surfaces 122 of the support members 120 the transition 130 forms an upwardly open channel section 140. A plurality of these pairs of support members are arranged next to one another at preferably equidistant distances a along the longitudinal axis L of the downwardly open half tube. The entire package cushioning shown in FIG. 1, i.e. here the one base member 100, is made in one piece with an average wall thickness W from a waste paper fiber material. In FIG. 1, the total width GB and the total length GL of the package cushioning of the base member are also shown. Finally, the low point T on the inside of the upwardly open channel section 140 can also be seen. The viewing directions or views of the face, the longitudinal side and the upper side are marked with the arrows AB, AL and A0.
The support members 120 are each designed as hollow bodies and the wall of the downwardly open half tube is open in the area of the hollow support members. Thereby, the downwardly open half tube and the support members span a common downwardly open cavity 112. The downwardly open cavity 112 is delimited by the remaining unbroken wall sections 114 of the downwardly open half tube, which face each other in pairs. The design as a hollow body offers the advantage of weight savings and the stackability of the base members.
FIG. 2 shows the base member in its first embodiment according to FIG. 1 in a perspective lower side view. After the formation of the hollow support members 120, only the said wall sections 114 remain of the original half tube. The individual wall sections 114 are arranged in pairs opposite one another and are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction by the transitions 130 of the support members 120 opposite one another. In addition to the wall thickness W, a high point H1 on the inside of the half tube 110 can also be seen in FIG. 2. In the “normal view” according to FIG. 1, the high point H1 represents the apex; in the lower side view according to FIG. 2, the apex H1 logically symbolizes a low point of the downwardly open half tube 110.
FIG. 3a illustrates an upper side view of the base member 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3b shows a cross section through the base member along line III-III of FIG. 3a. FIG. 3c shows an end face of the base member. FIG. 3d shows a cross section through the base member along the longitudinal axis L. In addition to the high point H1, which corresponds to the apex on the inside of the downwardly open half tube 110, this sectional view also shows the low point T of the upwardly open channel section 140. A vertical distance h between the high point H1 and the low point T is also illustrated. This vertical distance h is greater than the simple wall thickness W. Preferably vertical distance h is selected to be greater than or equal to twice the wall thickness W in order to sufficiently stabilize the package cushioning in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis L for possible impact loads. In addition to the vertical distance h, the total height GH of the base member and the height H of the individual support member above the high point H1 are also illustrated. Finally, the mentioned sectional view shows the distance a between adjacent pairs of the hump-shaped support members in the longitudinal direction L of the base member 100.
FIG. 4 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment for the base member 100 or the package cushioning 100′, which differs from the previously shown first exemplary embodiment in that an infill member 150 can be formed above the transition 130 between the opposing support members 120. This infill member 150 typically connects the two opposing support members to one another. Alternatively or additionally, such an infill member can also be formed on the lower side of the base member between visibly opposite wall sections.
The design of the infill member 150 advantageously causes a further stiffening of the base member in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis L. The infill members 150 are advantageously also formed as hollow bodies with the wall thickness W. At the same time, the transition 130 as the lower side of the infill member is typically also open. The infill member is typically formed in one piece with the base body and the support members with the same average wall thickness W from the same waste paper fiber material. When designed as a hollow body and in the form of a truncated pyramid, the infill members 150 enable the base member 100 to be easily stacked.
FIG. 4 shows the infill member 150 in the form of a bulge 152. In the form of this bulge, the infill member protrudes upwardly beyond the outside of the downwardly open half tube. Alternatively, it can also be implemented in the form of an indentation 154, as shown in FIG. 8. As an indentation, it reaches into the cavity 112 spanned by the downwardly open half tube 110. The bulges 152 and the indentations 154 can be formed alternately in the longitudinal direction L of the downwardly open half tube 110; see also FIG. 8. In contrast to what is shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the infill member 150 can also be designed with a smooth, i.e. edge-free transition to the support members and/or the transitions 130.
The infill members 150 on the upper side of the base member 110 between the pairs of opposite support members and/or the infill member on the lower side of the base member between the pairs of opposite wall sections, not shown in the figures, can also be arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the base body 100.
FIG. 5 shows a lower side view of the second exemplary embodiment of the base member 150 according to FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 shows the base member as in FIG. 4 in a cross-sectional view, cut in plane VI-VI. The dimensions already known from FIG. 3, such as the vertical distance h between the high point H1 on the inside of the half tube 110 and the low point T on the upper side of the transitions 130, the height H of the individual support members 120 above the high points H1 and the total height GH of the base member 100 are identical for the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. In addition, the height HF of the infill member 150 above the transition 130 is illustrated in FIG. 6. The infill member 150 is also produced with the average wall thickness W. For the height HF, the following preferably, but not necessarily, applies: h+HF≤H. That is, optionally, the infill members can protrude beyond the support members.
FIG. 7 illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of the package cushioning 100′, in which a plurality of base members 100, for example three in this case, are arranged parallel to one another. The entire package cushioning 100′ is made in one piece from waste paper fiber material. The infill members 150 are here, as in the second exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 4-6, each implemented in the form of a bulge 152, the bulge protruding beyond the outside of the downwardly open half tube. In the third exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, it is also worth mentioning that the base members each stand on the floor with their downwardly open half-tubes and each abut one another with their longitudinal sides. The arrow AL drawn in FIG. 7 shows the view of the longitudinal side of one of the base members 100.
FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth exemplary embodiment of the package cushioning 100′ in the form of a base member with infill members 150 between the support members 120 being implemented alternately in the form of a bulge 152 and an indentation 154. This design of the infill members also means an increase in the rigidity of the package cushioning in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis L.
For all exemplary embodiments of the package cushioning according to the invention and the base member according to the invention, it applies that its external dimensions are preferably cut to be cuboid, as shown in FIG. 1, for example.
FIG. 9 illustrates a fifth exemplary embodiment of the package cushioning 100′, with two base members 100 being connected to one another at a predetermined angle, here for example 90°, to form the corner member 160. In FIG. 9, the two connected base members 100 are shown standing on their wall sections 114. Alternatively, the design of the corner member could also be realized in that the two base members 100 are connected to one another lying on their longitudinal sides. As a third alternative, it would also be possible to connect the two base members 100 on the end faces of their respective downwardly open half-tubes.
FIG. 10 illustrates a packaging 200 for a rectangular article 210, for example. The packaging has a cuboid outer box 220 and at least one package cushioning 100′ inserted on its inside on its base. The package cushioning on the edges of the outer box defines and delimits a receiving space 230 for receiving the article 210 to be packaged, preferably with a precise fit, within the outer box 220. FIG. 10 shows different forms of package cushioning 100′ or base members 100 being used to package the article 210. Package cushioning in the form of corner member 160 are used in the four corners of the outer box 220. On the longitudinal sides, package cushioning can be used either as a single base member or in a multiple parallel arrangement of individual base members, depending on the outline of the article to be packaged.
The third exemplary embodiment of the package cushioning 110′ is also installed in FIG. 10. Three base members with parallel longitudinal axes are connected to one another. FIG. 11 shows a modified form thereof with four parallel base members. In this sixth exemplary embodiment of the package cushioning, the base members 100 are arranged parallel to one another in each case on their longitudinal sides or on their support points. They are connected to one another either with their opposite wall members 114 or with their opposite support member 120. In this respect, it represents an alternative to the embodiment of the package cushioning 100′ known from FIG. 7, in which the base members 100, which are also arranged in parallel, are connected to one another there, as stated, with their longitudinal sides facing one another.
FIG. 12 shows a seventh exemplary embodiment of the package cushioning 100′ or base member 100, in which two adjacent support members 120 in the longitudinal direction L are connected to one another on the same side of the half tube 110 via a rib member 170, and the rib member 170 partially extends into the upwardly open channel 140. The rib members 170 are preferably formed in the longitudinal direction L of the base member 100 alternately between two left-hand and two right-hand support members 120. The terms right-hand and left-hand refer to the direction of the longitudinal axis L as shown in FIG. 12.
In this seventh exemplary embodiment of the base member, the two support members 120 together with the rib member 170 arranged between them form a cavity. The rib members 170 are also preferably designed to taper upwards, so that the base member shown in FIG. 12 can advantageously be stacked.
FIG. 13 illustrates the seventh exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 12 in a perspective lower side view. Here it can be seen that wall sections 114 of the original downwardly open half tube 110 present in the first exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1-4 are no longer present at the locations of the rib members 170. Rather, the rib members 170 in the width direction can also be interpreted as the original wall members 114 turned up. In the seventh exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the support members 170 extend exemplarily each only to the middle of the upwardly open channel section 140. On the lower side in the direction of the width a rib member 170′ can likewise be opposite the rib member 170 that projects upwardly into the upwardly open channel section 140. This rib member 170′ on the lower side typically also projects only halfway into the half tube 110 in the width direction and then transitions into the rib member 170 on the upper side. The rib members 170′ can be interpreted as a special form of the configuration of the original wall section 114. The rib members 170′ are preferably designed to taper downwards, so that the base member can also be stacked with these rib members 170′.
Finally, it should be mentioned that the rib members 170 on the upper side and the rib members 170′ on the lower side of the base member 100 can be arranged alternately in its longitudinal direction, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.
FIG. 14 shows an eighth exemplary embodiment of the package cushioning, in which at least some, preferably all, of the pairs of opposing support members 120 are aligned and arranged in a V-shape at an acute angle α to the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped package cushioning. The transition regions 130 and possibly also the infill members 150 are preferably likewise V-shaped. If a plurality of support members 120 lying opposite one another in pairs are formed adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction L on the strip-shaped package cushioning, their V-shaped orientation preferably, but not necessarily, all point in the same direction. The same also applies to the V-shaped transition areas 130 and infill members 150. Alignment in the same direction offers the advantage that the support members 120 can then be arranged more closely adjacent, for example overlapping or nested in one another.
FIG. 15 shows the eighth exemplary embodiment of the package cushioning according to FIG. 14 in detail. Due to the V-shaped arrangement of the support members 120 and the transitions 130 and possibly also the infill members 150, an occurring force F, such as would act on the strip-shaped cushioning part transversely to its longitudinal direction, for example if the packaged article were dropped, advantageously is not directly passed through the packaged article. Instead, the V-shaped support members 120 form a predetermined crumple zone, which at least largely absorbs the acting forces due to its own deformations in the crease area and in the inner area of the package cushioning. Advantageously, no damage is then caused to the packaged article.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the disclosed or illustrated embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover numerous other modifications, substitutions, variations and broad equivalent arrangements that are included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
REFERENCE LIST
100′ package cushioning
100 base member
110 half tube
112 cavity
114 wall section
120 support member
122 surface
130 transition
140 channel section
150 infill member
152 bulge
154 indentation
160 corner member
170 rib member
170′ rib member
200 packaging
210 article
220 outer box
- a longitudinal distance
- AB face view=front side
- AL longitudinal side view
- AO upper side view
- AU lower side view
- F application of force
- GB overall width
- GH overall height
- GL overall length
- H height of supporting member above high point H1
- H1 high point of the half tube
- HF height infill member above transition
- h distance
- L longitudinal direction, longitudinal axis
- T low point
- W wall thickness
- α angle to the longitudinal direction
Patent Grant
12084254
