TECHNICAL FIELD
Embodiments herein relate to the field of saw chains, and more specifically, to saw chain packaging that incorporates one or more physical structures for measuring one or more saw chain attributes.
BACKGROUND
Chain saws typically include a housing containing a driving device (e.g., an engine), a guide bar extending from the housing, and a saw chain loop that is driven by the driving device and disposed to articulate around the perimeter of the guide bar. The saw chain generally includes various links, such as cutter links, drive links, and tie straps, coupled to one another by rivets. The rivets are disposed in rivet holes of one or more of the links. Accurate sizing of replacement saw chain is critically dependent on knowledge of chain size, including measurements of pitch and/or gauge, which may not be known to a customer seeking to replace a saw chain. A lack of knowledge of chain size may cause frustration when attempting to purchase a saw chain and/or may result in inadvertent purchase/use of an incorrect saw chain and, in turn, customer dissatisfaction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate saw chains with a pitch of 0.375″ (FIG. 1A) and 0.325″ (FIG. 1B), according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2A illustrates a saw chain guide bar, guide bar rail, and guide bar groove, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2B illustrates an alternative view of the guide bar rail and guide bar groove of the saw chain guide bar of FIG. 2A;
FIG. 2C illustrates a drive link of a saw chain of the present disclosure, viewed from two different angles;
FIG. 3A depicts a high-level illustration of a saw chain packaging of the present disclosure that includes a pitch measurement section and a gauge measurement section;
FIG. 3B shows a section of a saw chain illustrating how two rivets can be used with the pitch measurement section of the packaging shown at FIG. 3A, to measure saw chain pitch;
FIGS. 3C-3G illustrate various examples of the pitch measurement section of FIG. 3A, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIGS. 3H-3I illustrate two different examples of the gauge measurement section of FIG. 3A, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate two different examples of saw chain packaging, each having a visual image that illustratively guides a customer as to how to use the pitch measurement section associated with the packaging, according to embodiments;
FIGS. 5A-5C depict images showing proper alignment between rivets of a saw chain with a 0.325″ pitch and rivet alignment features of a pitch measurement section of a saw chain packaging for housing a saw chain having a 0.325″ pitch;
FIGS. 5D-5F depict images showing misalignment between rivets of a saw chain with a 0.375″ pitch and rivet alignment features of a pitch measurement section of a saw chain packaging for housing a saw chain having a 0.325″ pitch;
FIGS. 6A-6B depict images showing proper alignment between rivets of a saw chain with a 0.375″ pitch and rivet alignment features of a pitch measurement section of a saw chain packaging for housing a saw chain having a 0.375″ pitch; and
FIGS. 6C-6E depict images showing misalignment between rivets of a saw chain with a 0.325″ pitch and rivet alignment features of a pitch measurement section of a saw chain packaging for housing a saw chain having a 0.375″ pitch.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order-dependent.
The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application of disclosed embodiments.
The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical contact with each other. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.
For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “A/B” or in the form “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, and C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “(A)B” means (B) or (AB) that is, A is an optional element.
The description may use the terms “embodiment” or “embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.).
With respect to the use of any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, a packaging for a first saw chain comprises a receptacle that houses the first saw chain within the packaging, and one or more chain comparison sections that can be used to determine whether a second saw chain not included within the receptacle has one or more attributes that are the same as those of the first saw chain.
In an example, the one or more attributes further comprise a pitch of the second saw chain. In such an example, the one or more comparison sections is comprised of a pitch measurement section for determining the pitch of the second saw chain. In embodiments, the pitch measurement section includes two or more rivet alignment features for physically aligning two or more rivets associated with the second chain with the two or more rivet alignment features. As one example, the pitch measurement section includes two rivet alignment features, wherein the two rivet alignment features correspond to a first rivet that couples a first drive link of the saw chain to a cutter link, and a third rivet that couples a second drive link to a tie strap, wherein the first drive link and the second drive link comprise consecutive drive links, and wherein there is just one rivet between the first rivet and third rivet of the second saw chain. In another example, the pitch measurement section includes three rivet alignment features that correspond to three consecutive rivets of the second saw chain. In embodiments, the two or more rivet alignment features comprise notches in an edge of the packaging, where the notches do not impinge on the receptacle. In other embodiments, the two or more rivet alignment features comprise holes/voids in a portion of the packaging separate from that of the receptacle.
In embodiments, the one or more attributes further comprises a gauge of the second saw chain, wherein the one or more comparison sections is comprised of a gauge measurement section for determining the gauge of the second saw chain. In an example, the gauge measurement section is comprised of a notch or a void in the packaging into which a lower section of a drive link of the second saw chain can be inserted thereto. In examples, the notch or void in no way breaches the receptacle. In examples, the gauge of the second saw chain is the same as that of the first saw chain when a thickness of the lower section of the drive link substantially matches a distance between two opposing walls of the notch or the void in the packaging.
In embodiments of the packaging, the packaging further comprises a visual image included as part of the packaging for instructing a customer how to properly use the one or more chain comparison sections in conjunction with the second saw chain. In examples, the visual image is comprised of at least a portion of a representative saw chain.
In another aspect, a packaging for a first saw chain comprises a cavity that houses the first saw chain, the cavity enclosed by physically coupling a first portion of the packaging to a second portion of the packaging, the packaging further comprised of a border region that defines an outer perimeter of the packaging, and wherein the border region includes two or more rivet alignment features for physically aligning two or more rivets associated with a second chain with the two or more rivet alignment features.
In embodiments, the border region includes two rivet alignment features, wherein the two rivet alignment features correspond to a first rivet that couples a first drive link of the saw chain to a cutter link, and a third rivet that couples a second drive link to a tie strap. The first drive link and the second drive link may comprise consecutive drive links, and there may be just one rivet between the first rivet and the third rivet of the second saw chain.
In embodiments, the border region includes three rivet alignment features that correspond to three consecutive rivets of the second saw chain. In embodiments, the two or more rivet alignment features comprise two or more notches in the border region that are continuous with the outer perimeter of the packaging. In an example, the two or more notches each correspond to at least half of a circumference of each of the two or more rivets associated with the second saw chain.
In embodiments, the two or more rivet alignment features comprise two or more voids in the border region, the two or more voids being separate and non-continuous with any portion of the outer perimeter of the packaging. In examples, each of the two or more voids are of a dimension corresponding to at least a circumference of each one of the two or more rivets associated with the second saw chain.
In embodiments, the packaging further comprises a visual image for instructing a customer how to align the two or more rivets associated with the second chain with the two or more rivet alignment features. In an example, the visual image is comprised of at least a portion of a representative saw chain. The visual image may include two or more lines and/or arrows stemming from corresponding rivets of the representative saw chain and pointing to the two or more rivet alignment features.
In another aspect, a packaging for a saw chain comprises a pitch determining section and a gauge determining section, each of the pitch determining section and the gauge determining section integral to the packaging, and one or more visual images included as part of the packaging that alert a customer how to use each of the pitch determining section and the gauge determining section with a separate saw chain not included in the packaging.
In an embodiment, the pitch determining section includes two or more rivet alignment features for measuring a saw chain pitch, and the gauge determining section includes a notch or a void for measuring a saw chain gauge.
In an embodiment, the one or more visual images include at least a portion of a representative saw chain.
FIG. 1A illustrates a saw chain 100 that includes cutter links 130, tie straps 140, and drive links 150. The cutter link 130 of the saw chain 100 includes a cutting edge 132 and a depth gauge 134 separated by a gullet 136. The cutter link 130 of the saw chain 100 may be coupled with a drive link 150 via, for example, a rivet 138 passing through rivet holes (not specifically shown). A longitudinal first center line 160 is depicted as passing through a center of adjacent rivet holes. A second line 163 parallel to the longitudinal first center line 160 may extend from a top corner 133 of cutting surface 132 of cutter link 130. The distance between the first longitudinal center line 160 and the parallel line 163 can be used to define cutter height 166. A second set of center lines 167 and 168 perpendicular to the longitudinal first center line 160 may extend from a center of rivets 138, and can be used to define a distance between three rivets. The “pitch” of the chain 100, as herein used, is the distance 170 between three successive rivets divided by 2. In FIG. 1A, the distance 170 between the second set of center lines 167 and 168 divided by 2 is 0.375″, hence the pitch of chain 100 is 0.375″.
FIG. 1B depicts another example of a saw chain 180. In this example, the distance 190 between the second set of center lines 167 and 168 divided by 2 is 0.325, hence the pitch of chain 180 is 0.325″. FIGS. 1A-1B are shown for illustrative purposes, and it may be understood that chains having different pitches than 0.375″ and 0.325″ are within the scope of this disclosure, for example pitches of 0.5″, or 0.25″, etc.
Turning to FIG. 2A, depicted is representative chain saw guide bar 205. Inset 202 illustrates guide bar groove 210, and guide bar rail 215. For reference, cartesian coordinate system 212 is shown. FIG. 2B depicts chain saw guide bar 205 viewed along the x-axis (refer to axes 212). Chain saw guide bar groove 210 has a groove thickness 220. The guide bar groove 210 receives a portion of the drive links (e.g., drive link 150 at FIGS. 1A-1B). FIG. 2C depicts drive link 150 in a same configuration as that shown at FIGS. 1A-1B, and also rotated 90° about the y-axis. Drive link 150 may be comprised of an upper section 225, and a lower section 227. In examples, and as shown in the 90°-rotated view of drive link 150, upper section 225 may be of a greater thickness than lower section 227. As used herein, a “gauge” of a chain refers to a drive link thickness 230, which as shown corresponds to the lower section 227 of drive link 150. Thus, the gauge of a saw chain refers to the thickness of its drive links, more specifically, the thickness of its drive links that just fits into the groove (e.g., groove 210) of the guide bar (e.g., guide bar 205), without excessive wiggle-room. It may thus be understood that drive link thickness 230 may be just slightly less in thickness than groove thickness 220. Chain gauge is generally expressed in thousandths of an inch, for example 0.050″, or 0.063″. The gauge measurement provides information about the strength of a chain's drive links. Chain gauge examples include, but are not limited to, 0.043′, 0.050″, 0.058″, and 0.063″.
Thus, accurate knowledge of pitch and gauge are important determinants of whether a particular saw chain will work with a particular chainsaw (e.g., particular chainsaw bar). These specifications may not be readily available to a customer seeking to purchase a replacement chain. This may cause frustration to such a customer, and in some examples may lead to the customer inadvertently purchasing a chain that does not work properly with their particular chainsaw bar. In addition to being frustrating, purchase of an incorrect chain may result in lost time, dissatisfied clients (in a case where the user of the chainsaw is performing a job for a client), and the like.
It is herein recognized that packaging used to house new saw chains for purchase may serve a dual purpose by including as an integral part of the packaging, one or more measurement features that enable a customer to readily identify pitch and/or gauge associated with the chain they are seeking to replace. Such packaging may be useful to customers who bring the used chain (e.g., chain desired to be replaced) to a store at which they are seeking to purchase the replacement chain. Discussed herein, one or more measurement features included as an “integral part of” or “integral to” the packaging refers to an aspect of the packaging that can be used to physically measure one or more saw chain attributes (e.g., saw chain pitch and/or gauge), and which comprises a physical shape/structure and/or void in the packaging material itself, for which a chain not included in the packaging can be physically aligned with and/or inserted thereto. In examples, the packaging may be first produced, and then the one or more measurement features integrated thereto by manipulating the packaging (e.g., notching, perforating, and the like) to integrally incorporate the one or more measurement features into the packaging. In other examples, the one or more measurement features may be incorporated into the packaging during production of the packaging.
Turning to FIG. 3A, depicted is a high-level illustration depicting an example saw chain packaging 300, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Broadly speaking, saw chain packaging 300 includes a receptacle 305 that houses a new saw chain (not shown at FIG. 3) for purchase. Receptacle 305 may comprise any object or space capable of housing a new saw chain. Examples include but are not limited to a bag, cavity, pouch, and the like. Receptacle 305 may be of any shape (e.g., circular, rectangular, square, triangular, trapezoidal, irregular, and the like), and any corresponding volume, sufficient for securely housing the saw chain within packaging 300. In examples, packaging 300 is comprised of two separate pieces of packaging material (e.g., plastic) that, when coupled together, sandwich the saw chain between the two separate pieces, thereby sealing the saw chain within receptacle 305. In other examples, the packaging may be comprised of one continuous piece having a first section and a second section capable of moving relative to one another to alternatively open and close the packaging, thereby unsealing and sealing, respectively, the saw chain within receptacle 305. Thus, in embodiments at least a portion of packaging 300 that does not comprise receptacle 305 may comprise a region or regions where the separate pieces or separate sections of packaging 300 are coupled together to seal the saw chain within receptacle 305. The separate pieces or separate sections of packaging 300 may be coupled together to seal the saw chain within receptacle 305 by an adhesive (e.g., glue), or by another manner such as a snap-fit coupling, and the like.
In examples, packaging 300 may be comprised of polymers or polymer blends (e.g., plastics). Examples include but are not limited to one or more of polystyrene, polyester, poly-vinyl chloride, polyethylene (e.g., high or low density), polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and the like, including blends thereof. Additionally or alternatively, packaging 300 may be comprised of biodegradable polymers, including but not limited to poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and their copolymers—poly(lactic-co-glycolide) (PLGA) or poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA), polydioxanone (PDO), poly(caprolactone) (PCL), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and its copolymers, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polycarbonate, copolymers of trimethylene carbonate and glycolide, natural polymers including but not limited to polysaccharides such as starch and cellulose, and the like, and blends thereof.
In examples, packaging 300 may include a hang tab 310 for hanging packaging 300 for display to customers. Such hang tab 310 may comprise a hole, perforation, cavity, etc., whereby packaging 300 may be attached, hung, fastened, fixed, secured, or otherwise positioned for display, for example via coupling hang tab 310 to a peg, pin, fastener, hook, hanger, nail, spike, tack, and the like. However, in some examples packaging 300 may lack hang tab 310, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
Packaging 300 may include one or more measurement features (e.g., chain comparison sections) that enable a customer to readily determine one or more of a pitch and/or gauge of a saw chain. The one or more measurement features may be integrated into packaging 300, in a manner that does not compromise the integrity of receptacle 305. In other words, the one or more measurement features may be used without opening packaging 300. In examples, the one or more measurement features comprise pitch measurement section 315 and/or gauge measurement section 320. Pitch measurement section 315 may enable a customer to readily assess pitch of an old chain (e.g., chain that is desired to be replaced). Gauge measurement section 320 may enable a customer to readily assess gauge of an old chain. In some examples, packaging 300 includes just the pitch measurement section 315. In other examples, packaging 300 includes just the gauge measurement section 320. In other examples, packaging 300 includes both the pitch measurement section 315 and the gauge measurement section 320.
In an embodiment, the pitch determining section 315 may be comprised of two or more rivet alignment features 316. The two or more rivet alignment features may enable a customer to physically line up two or more rivets on their old chain with the two or more rivet alignment features, so as to enable the customer to visually infer whether their old chain pitch matches that of the new chain included within the packaging used for the rivet alignment.
Turning briefly to FIG. 3B, a section of a saw chain is depicted. Shown are a first rivet 351, second rivet 352, third rivet 353, and fourth rivet 354. As discussed above, pitch is determined by measuring a distance between three consecutive rivets divided by 2. In an example where packaging 300 includes just two rivet alignment features 316, the rivet alignment features may be separated by a first distance 360 corresponding to the length between the first rivet 351 and the third rivet 353, or by a second distance 361, corresponding to the length between the second rivet 352 and the fourth rivet 354, where the first distance 360 and the second distance 361 are the same. In examples where packaging 300 includes three rivet alignment features 316, the rivet alignment features may correspond to three consecutive rivets, for example first rivet 351, second rivet 352, and third rivet 353, or, alternatively, second rivet 352, third rivet 353, and fourth rivet 354. Thus, in no example does the pitch determining section 315 include rivet alignment features 316 corresponding to rivets coupled to just the cutter link 130, or just the tie straps 140. Regardless of whether the pitch determining section 315 includes two rivet alignment features, or three rivet alignment features, at least one rivet alignment feature corresponds to a rivet associated with the cutter link 130, and at least one rivet alignment feature corresponds to a rivet associated with a tie strap 140. However, in a case where the pitch determining section 315 includes just two rivet alignment features 316, it may be understood that the rivet alignment features 316 do not correspond to consecutive rivets, but rather correspond to one on the cutter link 130 and another on the tie strap 140.
Returning to FIG. 3A, the rivet alignment features 316 are depicted as notches in packaging 300. The notches are illustrated as semicircular, enabling ease of alignment with rivets, which are circular as shown. When semicircular, dimensions of the notches may be equal to or slightly greater than half of a circumference of rivets on a saw chain. However, it is within the scope of this disclosure that the notches be of a different shape, for example an open square shape, or an open triangular shape, such as depicted at FIGS. 3C-3D. In a packaging of the present disclosure where the notches are of a different shape than semi-circular, in examples the shapes may be large enough to fittingly accommodate a diameter of the rivets 138 (e.g., where the rivets are circular). Accordingly, depicted at FIGS. 3C-3D are rivets 138 and corresponding rivet alignment features 316 for reference.
In another embodiment, the rivet alignment features 316 may be different. For example, rather than notches, the rivet alignment features may comprise holes or voids in packaging 300, such that a saw chain (e.g., saw chain 100 at FIG. 1A) can be placed underneath the pitch determining section 315, and visualized from above in order to determine proper alignment. FIG. 3E depicts such an example where the rivet alignment features 316 are circular, FIG. 3F depicts such an example where rivet alignment features 316 are square, and FIG. 3G depicts such an example where rivet alignment features 316 are triangular. Other shapes can be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Shown for reference are rivets 138 which align with each of the rivet alignment features 316. In each of the examples of FIGS. 3E-3H, an entire circumference of the rivets 138 can just be seen through the holes/voids.
Turning now to FIG. 3H, depicted is a top-down three-dimensional rendering of an embodiment of packaging 300 that includes gauge measurement section 320. Also shown for reference is receptacle 305, and hang tab 310. In this example illustration, receptacle 305 (e.g., a cavity) is shown extending downward away from face 350 of packaging 300. Thus, in this example illustration shown at FIG. 3H, it may be understood that receptacle 305 comprises a volume beneath face 350 which holds the saw chain (not shown).
At FIG. 3H, gauge measurement section 320 is shown as a notch or cutout in a side of packaging 300. The notch is sized such that lower section 227 of a drive link may slide into the notch of gauge measurement section 320, as depicted by arrow 352. In this way, the gauge of the chain which a customer is desiring to replace with a new chain of the same gauge may be determined readily. Specifically, under conditions where the thickness of the notch corresponding to the gauge measurement section 320 is such that the notch fittingly engages sides of lower section 227 of drive link 150, then the gauge of the chain being measured via the packaging 300 is the same as that of the gauge of the chain housed in the receptacle 305 of packaging 300. It may be understood that the notch fittingly engages the sides of lower section 227 when there is very little to no gap between the opposing sides/walls of the notch corresponding to the gauge measurement section 320 and the sides of lower section 227 of drive link 150. Alternatively, in a case where there is substantial wiggle room between opposing sides of the notch corresponding to the gauge measurement section 320 and the sides of lower section 227 of drive link 150, then the gauge of the chain being measured via the packaging 300 is not the same as that of the gauge of the chain housed in the receptacle 305 of packaging 300. It may be understood that substantial wiggle-room implies that the lower section 227 of drive link 150 can readily be moved back-and-forth within the notch of gauge measurement section 320 such that alternate sides of the notch are alternatingly engaged with sides of the lower section 227 of drive link 150, and when one side of lower section 227 of drive link 150 is touching one side of the notch of gauge measurement section 320, then there is a substantial gap between the other side of lower section 227 of drive link 150 and the opposing side of the notch of gauge measurement section 320. For example, the gap may be readily visible by eye to a customer relying on the packaging 300 for measuring gauge of the chain for which the customer desires to replace and/or the customer may readily appreciate that the notch does not fittingly engage the lower section 227 of drive link 150 when the drive link 150 is moved in a manner such that the two sides of lower section 227 alternately engage the opposing sides of the notch corresponding to gauge measurement section 320. For reference, in the example illustration depicted at FIG. 3H, the drive link 150 may be moved back-and-forth (exemplified by arrow 355) in a manner such that the drive link 150 is alternately positioned closer to an upper edge 360 of packaging 300 and then closer to a lower edge 362 of packaging 300. If very little to no movement is possible with lower section 227 of drive link 150 inserted into the notch of gauge measurement section 320, then the customer may appreciate that the gauge of the chain being measured is the same as that of the chain in the packaging 300. Alternatively, if it is possible to readily wiggle the lower section 227 of drive link 150 back and forth and thereby alternatingly touching opposing walls of the notch of gauge measurement section 320, then the gauge of the chain being measured is smaller than that of the chain in the packaging 300. Still further, if the lower section 227 of drive link 150 cannot be inserted into the notch of gauge measurement section 320, then the gauge of the chain being measured is greater than the gauge of the chain in the packaging 300.
Turning to FIG. 3I, another example illustration of packaging 300 is shown, where gauge section 320 is not continuous with the outer edge of packaging 300, but rather comprises a void in the, for example, face 350 of packaging 300. In this example, rather than slidingly engaging drive link 150 with a notch corresponding to gauge measurement section 320 as shown at FIG. 3H, lower section 227 of drive link 150 is instead inserted into the void corresponding to gauge measurement section 320, as illustrated by arrow 370. Other than the difference in placement of gauge measurement section 320 between FIG. 3H and FIG. 3I, other functional aspects as to how gauge can be measured are similar to the description provided with regard to FIG. 3H. It may be understood that with regard to each of FIG. 3H and FIG. 3I, lower section 227 of drive link 150 may engage with gauge measurement section 320 in two different orientations (compare drive link 150 with drive link 150a). For example, at FIG. 3I, lower section 227 of drive link 150 may be inserted into the void corresponding to gauge measurement section 320 from above face 350, exemplified by arrow 370, or from below face 350. One advantage of engaging the lower section 227 with the gauge measurement section 320 in the manner shown via the orientation of drive link 150a is that the gap (or lack thereof) may be more readily viewable to a customer using the packaging 300 to measure gauge and/or the customer may be able to view the gap (or lack thereof) while simultaneously viewing a portion of the packaging on the face 350 that includes instructions (e.g., written wording and/or visual depiction) as to whether the gauge of the saw chain being measured corresponds to the gauge of the saw chain housed by packaging 300. That said, it is also within the scope of this disclosure that such instructions be placed, for example, on a lower face (not numbered at FIG. 3H and FIG. 3I) of packaging 300, or other location. Furthermore, while just a gauge measurement section 320 is included in the packaging 300 illustrated at FIG. 3H and FIG. 3I, in alternative embodiments such packaging can also include a pitch measurement section (e.g., pitch measurement section 315) as discussed above.
Turning now to FIG. 4A, depicted is an example embodiment of a packaging 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Packaging 400 includes hang tab 410, and two rivet alignment features 416. In this example, each of the two rivet alignment features 416 are semi-circles continuous with an outer perimeter (e.g., outer edge) 402 of packaging 400. Packaging 400 also includes a visual image 440 showing a portion of a saw chain, and indicator lines 441 and 442 stemming from two rivets associated with the depicted portion of the saw chain corresponding to the visual image 440. The indicator lines stem from each of the corresponding rivets, and point to each of the two rivet alignment features 416. Although not shown at FIG. 4A, in examples, the packaging insert 445 that includes the visual image 440 and other relevant information (including but not limited to brand, specifications, and the like) may include written instructions in addition to the visual image 440, to provide a customer with relevant details concerning how to use the packaging to measure pitch of the saw chain they are desiring to replace.
Depicted at FIG. 4A, and as elaborated in more detail below, packaging 400 may include a border region 443, used herein to refer to a portion of packaging 400 (or other packaging embodiments) that is substantially flat, which includes one or more of a pitch measurement section (e.g., pitch measurement section 315 at FIG. 3A) and a gauge measurement section (e.g., gauge measurement section 320 at FIG. 3A), and which frames the cavity (e.g., receptacle 305 at FIG. 3A). In this example embodiment, the pitch measurement section may be understood to comprise the two rivet alignment features 416. It is within the scope of this disclosure that the border region include the hang tab (e.g., hang tab 410 at FIG. 4A) as well. It may be understood that the cavity (e.g., receptacle 305) is not viewable at FIG. 4A, but is behind packaging insert 445.
In the example packaging 400 depicted at FIG. 4A, just two rivet alignment features 416 are included. Indicator line 441 stems from first rivet 450 that links a first drive link 430 to cutter link 431. Indicator line 442 stems from third rivet 452 that links a second drive link 432 to tie strap 433. The first drive link 430 and the second drive link 432 are consecutive, meaning that they are adjacent one another without intervening drive links. As shown, there is no rivet alignment feature for second rivet 454. In this way, a customer may rely on visual image 440 to properly align rivets associated with the saw chain they are measuring with rivet alignment features 416, to determine whether the pitch of the saw chain they are measuring corresponds to the pitch of the saw chain housed in packaging 400.
Turning now to FIG. 4B, depicted is another example embodiment of a packaging 475. Packaging 475 is the same as packaging 400, except for the nature of the rivet alignment features 455. Rivet alignment features 455 in this example packaging 475 comprise voids (e.g., holes) in border region 443. It may be understood that the voids may be substantially the same overall circumference as that of the rivets being measured, or may be slightly larger so as to just surround the rivets when a saw chain and corresponding rivets are placed underneath the voids. In this way, a customer may position a saw chain underneath the voids in a manner as shown by the visual image 440, to determine whether the pitch of the saw chain they are measuring corresponds to the pitch of the saw chain in the packaging 475.
FIG. 5A depicts an illustrative example of a packaging 500 having three rivet alignment features 505. In this example, packaging 500 includes a saw chain with a pitch of 0.325″, as shown. Consecutive rivets 511, 512, and 513 of saw chain 510 properly align with the three rivet alignment features 505, indicating that the saw chain being measured (e.g., saw chain 510) has a pitch of 0.325″. Accordingly, a customer may know based on the alignment that the saw chain included in packaging 500 has a same pitch as that of the saw chain being measured (e.g., saw chain 510). Also shown at FIG. 5A is border region 522, which frames (e.g., borders) cavity 520 (e.g., receptacle 305 at FIG. 3A).
FIG. 5B illustrates a close-up view of the alignment between rivet alignment features 505 and rivets 511, 512, and 513 of saw chain 510. FIG. 5C illustrates a view from a side of packaging 500, showing saw chain 510 not yet properly aligned with the three rivet alignment features 505. To enable each of rivets 511, 512, and 513 to fittingly align with each of the three rivet alignment features 505, it may be understood that a width of border region 522, as illustrated by line 523 at FIG. 5A and FIG. 5C, must be greater than a cutter height length (refer to cutter height length 166 at FIG. 1A), at least in the region of the pitch measurement section (e.g., pitch measurement section 315 at FIG. 3A) that includes the rivet alignment features. If not, then the cutter link (not shown at FIGS. 5A-5C, but refer to cutter link 130 at FIG. 1A) may abut against a wall 540 corresponding to cavity 520, which would impede proper alignment of the rivets and rivet alignment features. Similar logic applies to a case where, rather than notches, the rivet alignment features comprise holes/voids (refer to, for example, FIG. 4B). In such an example, the width of the border region (e.g., border region 522) may be such that, when rivets are aligned with the rivet alignment features, cutter height does not result in any part of the cutter link (e.g., cutter link 130) impinging upon any aspect of the cavity (e.g., receptacle 305) housing the new saw chain.
FIG. 5D depicts another example of packaging 500 including a saw chain with a pitch of 0.325″, as shown. However, in this example illustration of FIG. 5D, a different saw chain 550 is being measured, and saw chain 550 has a pitch of 0.375″. Accordingly, rivets 551, 552, and 553 do not properly align with rivet alignment features 505, as depicted. Hence, a customer seeking to replace saw chain 550 may readily appreciate that the saw chain included in packaging 500 is not an appropriate replacement for saw chain 550. FIG. 5E and FIG. 5F show close up views of the rivet alignment features 505 and improper alignment with rivets 551, 552, and 553 of saw chain 550. As can be seen at FIGS. 5D-5F, view of portions of rivets 552 and 553 is obstructed because of the overall misalignment of saw chain 550 with rivet alignment features 505.
FIG. 6A depicts an illustrative example of a packaging 600 having three rivet alignment features 605. In this example, packaging 600 includes a saw chain with a pitch of 0.375″, as shown. Consecutive rivets 551, 552, and 553 of saw chain 550 properly align with the three rivet alignment features 605, indicating that the saw chain being measured (e.g., saw chain 550) has a pitch of 0.375″. Accordingly, a customer may know based on the alignment that the saw chain included in packaging 600 has the same pitch as that of the saw chain being measured (e.g., saw chain 550). FIG. 6B shows a close-up view of the alignment between rivet alignment features 604 and rivets 551, 552, and 553 of saw chain 550.
FIG. 6C depicts another example of packaging 600 that includes a saw chain with a pitch of 0.375″, as shown. However, in this example illustration of FIG. 6C, a different saw chain 510 is being measured, and saw chain 510 has a pitch of 0.325″. Accordingly, rivets 511, 512, and 513 do not properly alight with rivet alignment features 605, as depicted. Accordingly, a customer seeking to replace saw chain 510 may readily appreciate that the saw chain included in packaging 600 is not an appropriate replacement for saw chain 510. FIG. 6D and FIG. 6E show close up views of the rivet alignment features 605 and improper alignment with rivets 511, 512, and 513 of saw chain 510.
It is herein recognized that in addition or alternative to the embodiments disclosed above, there may be other options for rivet alignment features (e.g., rivet alignment features 316 at FIG. 3). As one example, rivet alignment features may comprise compressible bubbles that may compress when a saw chain and corresponding rivets are placed on the bubbles. In the event of rivet misalignment, the bubbles may not be uniformly compressed, but rather, only portions of the bubbles may be compressed (for example one bubble may be uniformly compressed whereas other bubbles may not be uniformly compressed. Alternatively, in an example where the rivets of a saw chain being measured align with the bubbles, then when pressed down upon the bubbles, the bubbles may each compress uniformly. Following use, a customer may reset the bubbles by using their finger (or other means of pressing) to press on an opposing side of the bubbles, thereby pushing the bubbles back into their original, pre-compressed conformation.
In this way, a customer seeking to replace a saw chain with a new saw chain may readily appreciate one or more relevant saw chain attributes (e.g., pitch and/or gauge) prior to purchase of the new saw chain. The customer may do so even under conditions where help is not available or is causing undesired delay in the customer's schedule (e.g., exorbitant wait time to speak with an employee), where the manual corresponding to the chainsaw for which the customer is seeking to replace the saw chain is not available (e.g., borrowed chainsaw), or any other reason for which the customer is not aware of the particular attributes of the saw chain they are desiring to replace. By including chain comparison sections on a packaging of a new saw chain, use of resources may be reduced because separate tools (and their packaging and manufacture) can be largely avoided, and customer satisfaction may be improved by avoiding inadvertent purchase of an incorrect saw chain. Furthermore, the notches and/or voids associated with the pitch measurement sections and gauge measurement sections discussed herein may readily be integrated into the packaging subsequent to or during packaging manufacture, requiring simple tools and no additional materials, thus making the inclusion of chain comparison sections in the packaging of the present disclosure cost-effective.
Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in a very wide variety of ways. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Patent Application
20220267071
