Patent Application
20080245696
The present invention relates to a packing for electronic components and devices and preferably for notebooks.
Such packings are known in a number of different embodiments. Currently used packings are made for instance of expanded polystyrene or plastics. They are rigid components, which are for instance pushed onto a notebook from both sides.
As the packings known from the prior art constitute substantially rigid components, the same correspondingly are not flexible, but are each only usable for a specific device. If they are deep-drawn plastic packings, another disadvantage consists in that the same must have a considerable drawing depth, in order to ensure a sufficient insertion depth of the component, for instance the notebook, to be accommodated. Accordingly, the process of manufacturing such packings turns out to be relatively complex.
It is the object of the present invention to develop a packing for electronic components and devices, and preferably for notebooks, such that the same offers a good protection of the accommodated components or devices against being damaged and can be manufactured relatively easily.
This object is solved by a packing with the features of claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that the packing includes at least two pivotally connected elements, which can be swivelled between at least one first swivel position and at least one second swivel position, wherein in the second swivel position the elements have a smaller swivel angle with respect to each other than in the first swivel position, and wherein in the second swivel position the elements define a space for accommodating the component to be packed. Thus, the packing of the present invention is not based on rigid packing elements, but comprises pivotally connected elements, which are movable into different positions and in at least one position form a space for the component or device to be accommodated. The elements are folded or rolled about the component/device to be packed, which can possibly provide for an adaptability to differently dimensioned components/devices.
Preferably, it is provided that one or more elements have locking means which fix the elements in the second swivel position relative to each other. The locking elements can comprise a projection and a recess, the projection and the recess being arranged on the elements such that in the second swivel position the projection is at least partly received in the recess. It is conceivable, for instance, that the locking means is configured such that a dovetail connection is formed between the elements.
In a preferred aspect of the invention it is provided that the elements include a receiving portion and one, two or more than two edge portions which define the receiving portion on one, two or more than two sides. The edge portions thus form for instance a lateral boundary of the receiving portion and accordingly a lateral protection of the accommodated component or device against being damaged.
Another function of the edge portions can consist in receiving said locking means. In principle, however, it is likewise conceivable to alternatively or additionally arrange the locking means in the receiving portion.
In another aspect of the invention it is provided that the edge portions of the elements are configured such that in the second swivel position they lie on top of each other and that the receiving portions of the elements are configured such that in the second swivel position they define a space for accommodating the component to be packed.
The elements can have a receiving portion which includes bearing portions spaced from each other. In this case, it is provided that the accommodated component or device does not lie flat on the receiving portion, but only or substantially on the bearing portions.
The bearing portions can be spaced from each other in the direction of the swivel axis of the elements and/or in a direction vertical to the swivel axis of the elements. Between the bearing portions, webs, grooves or e.g. actuate portions can be provided. For instance, between the bearing portions spaced in the direction of the swivel axis, webs or grooves can extend, and between the bearing portions spaced from each other in a direction vertical to the swivel axis of the elements, actuate portions can extend, which preferably are curved to the outside, i.e. facing away from the receiving portion. A reverse arrangement also is conceivable. The actuate portions provide on the one hand a certain stabilization of the receiving portion and on the other hand a protection against forces acting on the receiving portion from the outside.
In a further aspect of the invention it is provided that the packing consists of three elements, two of which are arranged substantially parallel in the second swivel position and with one swivel axis each are connected with the third element.
In a preferred aspect of the invention it is provided that the elements of the packing are arranged such that in their second swivel position they define a space which is open on one side only. In this space, the accommodated component or device is located, which in accordance with this embodiment is surrounded by the packing of the invention on its upper and lower surfaces, on its two lateral surfaces and on its end face.
The third element can be configured such that in the second swivel position it includes projections or bulges pointing to the outside with respect to the space for accommodating the component. These projections or bulges on the one hand serve to stabilize the third element and on the other hand provide protection of the component or element against being damaged, as they are preferably deformed plastically like the further components of the packing, in case an external force is acting on the same.
The packing can include a plurality of elements which are arranged such that in the second swivel position the first element and the last element of the packing are arranged parallel to each other. Preferably, these two elements define a surface from which protrudes the component or device accommodated in the packing.
Particularly advantageously, one of the elements is formed by a plate-like component. On one or more sides, preferably on two opposite sides, the plate-like component can be pivotally connected with one or more further elements of the packing.
Preferably, it is provided that the plate-like component includes a bearing surface as well as one or more edge portions raised from the same, which define the bearing surface. For protection of the accommodated component or device it can be provided that the bearing surface includes projections protruding from the same to the outside.
The plate-like component can, for instance, have a rectangular or square configuration, raised edge portions being provided on two opposite sides of the component and one or more further elements being each pivotally mounted on the two other sides of the component.
Particularly advantageously, the packing is made of plastics. The packing can be made by deep-drawing. Due to the inventive configuration of the packing as compared to known packings, which for instance are pushed onto a notebook, a comparatively small drawing depth is required, which simplifies the manufacture accordingly.
Preferably, the packing is made of a plastically deformable material or includes such material. The material preferably is made such that in the case of an impact or under the influence of external forces it is deformed plastically and correspondingly protects the component by absorbing the impact energy.
The present invention furthermore relates to the use of a packing as claimed in any of claims 1 to 21 for accommodating electronic components or devices and preferably a notebook.
Particularly advantageously, the packing is used such that the electronic component or device or the notebook rests on the plate-like component of the packing, while assembly of the component or device is effected or the same is equipped. Upon termination of the assembly, the further elements pivotally mounted relative to the plate-like component are folded down or rolled up, so that the finished component or device possibly can be delivered or stored after further packing operations.
Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in detail with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawing, in which:
In the first swivel position shown in
To ensure that upon folding the elements 10, 20 remain in their folded position as shown in
The elements 10, 20 include receiving portions 14, 24 in which bearing portions 17, 27 are formed, which rest against the accommodated component or device. The bearing portions 17, 27 are spaced by means of webs 18, 28 in a direction parallel to the swivel axes, about which the parts 10, 30, 20 can be swivelled against each other. In the direction vertical thereto, actuate portions 19, 29 are disposed, which in particular serve to ensure a protection of the accommodated component against external influences.
In a lateral direction, the receiving portions 14, 24 are defined by edge portions 16, 26 on both sides. These edge portions 16, 26 include the above-mentioned locking means 12, 23.
In the second swivel position as shown in
In this embodiment, the edge portions 16, 26 not only have the function to enclose the locking means, but also provide protection of the bearing portion 14, 24 against forces acting from the side.
As can be taken from
The packings in accordance with the embodiment of
The packing of the invention is comparatively easy to manufacture, as it only requires a small drawing depth. Handling the packing also is particularly easy, as upon placing the component on one of the two bearing portions 14, 24, it is merely necessary to fold down the elements, in order to protect the component or device in this region.
As the projections 12 have a certain height, it is furthermore possible to accommodate components or devices with different thicknesses, without the possibility of locking by means of the projections 12 and the recesses 23 being lost.
Upon placing the notebook or component or device on the bearing surface 54 of the element 50, the elements 40 are folded or rolled about the edge portions of the device or component, so that the condition shown in
In the second swivel position, the projections 42 of the elements 40 are located in the respectively adjacent recesses 43 or 53 of the elements 40 or of the plate-like element 50.
In the illustrated embodiment, the elements 40 have lateral surfaces which adjoin the bearing portion 44 and are inclined with respect to each other at an angle of about 60°. In this way it is achieved that when swivelling three such elements, the last element is turned by 180°, as is shown in
In principle, however, more than three elements or less than three elements are also conceivable.
The packings in accordance with the embodiment as shown in
The packing preferably consists of a plastically deformable material, which involves the advantage that a possible impact energy is absorbed by deformation of the packing, and in this way the device/component is protected. Materials such as polypropylene, impact-modified polypropylene and other materials come into consideration.
In a preferred aspect of the invention, the packing is configured such that in a first swivel position, i.e. in the open condition, it can be stacked empty.
