Patent Application
20080110794
All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official government records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.
Retention packaging designs are well known. A typical retention packaging includes a rigid platform or backing against which an object is held and a pliable film that covers the object and that is tensioned in order to securely hold the object against the backing. Known retention packaging designs are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,973 to McDonald et al. (“McDonald”) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,003 to Wilkinson (“Wilkinson”), each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
In this respect, McDonald discloses a retention packaging that includes a backing having end flaps and a middle portion. An object is supported on the middle portion of the backing and a pliable film is extended over the object. The film furthermore includes pockets at opposite ends thereof that surround and enclose the end flaps of the backing. When the end flaps are folded down in a direction away from the object, the film is tensioned and stretched over the object and, thereby, retains the object against the middle portion of the backing. A stated benefit of the retention packaging of McDonald is that the film and the backing may be separately manufactured at different facilities geographically distant from one another and then shipped to and assembled at a common location by simply inserting the end flaps of the backing into the pockets formed in the ends of the film.
In contrast to McDonald, Wilkinson discloses a retention packaging that includes a backing and a pliable film that extends between opposite ends of the backing. The film is folded over and affixed to the rear of each of the opposite ends of the backing. When the backing is folded, the film is stretched over an object placed between the backing and the film, and the object is thereby suspended on the backing by the tensioned film.
While the retention packaging of McDonald and the retention packaging of Wilkinson are fit for their intended purposes, an improved retention packaging and method of manufacture nevertheless are desirable.
The present invention includes many aspects and features.
In a first aspect of the invention, a retention packaging includes: a support member having first and second sections each defining a support surface for receiving an object thereon for shipping; and a film disposed in covering relation to the support surface of the support member and retained to the support member at the first and second sections. The first and second sections are pivotably connected to one another along a fold line that substantially transects the support member. The film includes opposite ends each enclosing a respective opposite end of the support member and defining overlapping areas of the film that are permanently joined together. The first section of the support member extends between the overlapping areas of one of the opposite ends of the film, and the second section of the support member extends between the overlapping areas of the other of the opposite ends of the film.
In various features of this aspect: the fold line generally bisects the support member; the film is retained to the support member only by extension of the first and second sections of the support member between the overlapping areas of the film; the first and second sections of the support member are disposed in substantially overlapping, abutting relation to one another; edges of the first and second sections of the support member coincide with one another; the first and second sections of the support member are approximately equal in length and width; the first and second sections of the support member have approximately equal surface area; the overlapping areas of the film that are permanently joined together are heat sealed, adhered, or welded together; the film comprises a stretchable film; the film comprises polyethylene; the film comprises a heat shrinkable material; the support member is scored along the fold line; and the support member comprises a rigid material. Furthermore, the support member may be formed, for example, from chip-board, corrugated fiberboard, cardboard, a plastic sheet, or plywood. The support member also may be hinged or perforated along the fold line.
In additional features of this aspect, the retention packaging includes an object suspended on a support surface of the support member by the film; and the retention packaging includes an object suspended on each support surface of the support member by the film.
In still yet another feature of this aspect, the aforementioned retention packaging is disposed within a shipping container having an interior cargo space defined by a length, a height, and a width, wherein the first and second sections of the support member are disposed in substantially overlapping, abutting relation to one another and wherein each of the first and second sections has a length and width that is generally the same as the length and width of the interior cargo space of the shipping container.
In a second aspect of the invention, a shipping container includes a box having an interior cargo space defined by a length, a height, and a width, and a retention packaging positioned within the interior cargo space of the box. The retention packaging includes a support member that defines a support surface and having first and second sections pivotably connected to one another along a fold line that transects the support member, and a film disposed in covering relation to the support surface of the support member and retained to the support member at the first and second sections. The film includes opposite ends each defining overlapping areas of the film that are permanently joined together, with the first section of the support member extending between the overlapping areas of one of the opposite ends of the film, and with the second section of the support member extending between the overlapping areas of another of the opposite ends of the film. The first and second sections of the support member are disposed in substantially overlapping, abutting relation to one another and each of the first and second sections has a length and width that is generally the same as the length and width of the interior cargo space of the box.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of making a retention packaging includes the steps of: (a) positioning both a film and a support member such that the film extends in covering relation to a surface of the support member, beyond a leading edge of the support member, beyond a trailing edge of the support member, and beyond opposite side edges of the support member; (b) folding opposite side edges of the film over the opposite side edges of the support member; (c) folding opposite side edges of the film such that the film forms first overlapping areas proximate and beyond the leading edge of the support member; (d) permanently joining the first overlapping areas of the film together; (e) cutting the film proximate the first overlapping areas; (f) folding opposite side edges of the film such that the film forms second overlapping areas proximate and beyond the trailing edge of the support member; (g) permanently joining the second overlapping areas of the film together; and (h) cutting the film proximate the second overlapping areas. The film is retained to the support member by the opposite side edges of the film that are folded over the opposite side edges of the support member in conjunction with the permanently joined overlapping areas of the film that are proximate and beyond the leading and trailing edges of the support member.
In various features of this aspect: the film of step (a) extends from a roll of film; step (d) is performed prior to performance of step (e); step (d) and step (e) are performed concurrently; step (g) is performed prior to performance of step (h); step (g) and step (h) are performed concurrently; step (c) is performed prior to performance of step (f); step (c) and step (f) are performed concurrently; step (e) is performed prior to performance of step (h); step (e) and step (h) are performed concurrently; step (d) is performed prior to performance of step (g); and step (d) and step (g) are performed concurrently.
Still yet in accordance with another feature, the method further includes the step of scoring the support member between opposite side edges of the support member such that a score line transects the support member and defines first and second sections of the support member that are pivotably connected to one another along the score line. Additionally, the overlapping areas may include coinciding edges of the film that are sealed using heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or sealing using an adhesive such as glue or other bonding agent. Moreover, the coinciding edges may be completely sealed along their extent or sealed only at distinct points along their extent.
In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention further includes the various possible combinations of such aspects and features.
Further aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein:
As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.
Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.
Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.”
When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.”
Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit aspects of the invention, its applications, or its uses.
The retention packaging 10 includes a support member 12 and a film 14. As shown in
It also is contemplated that the film 14 further may be heat shrunk over the object 18 prior to the retention packaging 10 being placed into the box 16 (provided the film is heat shrinkable). The heating shrinking would be performed according to conventional heat shrinking methods and, therefore, a detailed description of such heat shrinking is not included herein.
Typically, once an object 18 to be shipped has been placed in the retention packaging 10 and the retention packaging 10 has been arranged in the shipping configuration, the retention packaging 10 is placed in the box 16, with the support member 12 resting against a base 20 of the box 16. The film 14 of the retention packaging 10 holds the object 18 against the support member 12 and suspends the object 18 away from walls 22 of the box 16 so that the object 18 does not collide with the walls 22 of the box 16 during transport. The support member 12 of the retention packaging 10 also provides a buffer between the object 18 and the base 20 of the box 16. An additional buffer (not shown) also may be provided on top of the retention packaging 10 to secure the retention packaging 10 in its abutment with the base 20 of the box 16.
Described in more detail, the fold line 40 demarcates the first and second sections 28,30 from each other and provides an axis of rotation for the first and second sections 28,30 relative to one another. Preferably, the fold line 40 bisects the support member 12 such that the surface areas of the first section 28 and the second section 30 are approximately equal. The film 14 includes opposite ends 42 and sides 44. The film 14 is disposed in covering relation to the support member 12. More particularly, the film 14 extends in covering relation to the top surfaces 32,34 of the first and second sections 28,30 of the support member 12. The film 14 further extends beyond the ends 24 of the support member 12, and ends 42 of the film 14 respectively wrap around the ends 24 of the support member 12 and partially cover portions of the bottom surfaces 36,37. The opposite ends 42 of the film 14 also are folded around the corresponding opposite ends 24 of the support member 12 such that folded portions of the film 14 define receiving areas 46 within which opposite ends 24 of the support member 12 are received and at least are partially enclosed. For each receiving area 46, overlapping areas comprising coinciding edges 48 of the portion of the film 14 forming the receiving area 46 are permanently jointed together to maintain the fold forming the receiving area 46. Various methods are available for permanently joining the edges 48 together. Examples includes heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, and use of various adhesives, such as glue. Furthermore, a discrete point or discrete points along the edges 48 may be permanently joined together or, alternatively, the entire edges 48 of the portions of the film 14 forming the receiving areas 46 may be permanently joined together.
In loading an object in the retention packaging 10, one of the sections 28,30 is pivoted upwardly about fold line 40 relative to the other section, thereby loosening the film 14 and forming an insertion pocket for easy loading of the object onto one of the top surfaces 32,34. In so folding, the first and second sections 28,30 may tend to form an “L” or “V” shaped configuration. Once the object is loaded onto a top surface of one of the sections 28,30, the other section is then pivoted downwardly about fold line 40 relative to the section supporting the object, which begins to tension and tighten the film 14 about the object.
Furthermore, it should be noted that for the illustrated embodiment, wherein the first section 28 and the second section 30 are the same size, the receiving areas 46 of the film 14 and opposite ends 24 of the support member 12 are aligned when the retention packaging 10 is disposed in this shipping configuration. As such, the support member 12 provides a double layer of support for the object 18 placed thereon. Accordingly, the retention packaging 10 is able to accommodate relatively heavy objects for shipping and transport. Further, the torque applied to the film 14 when the retention packaging 10 is transitioned to the shipping configuration is a product of a lever arm that equals the length of the second section 30 and is approximately half the length of the support member 12.
It also is contemplated that the film 14 of the retention packaging 10 may further be heat shrunk prior to the retention packaging 10 being placed into the box 16 for shipment (provided that the film that is used is heat shrinkable).
To remove an object 18 from the retention packaging 10, a person receiving the shipment merely removes the retention packing 10 and object 18 from the box 16 and then rotates the second section 30 away from its overlapping abutment with the first section 28. This relaxes and loosens the film 14, thereby permitting access to the retaining space 50 wherein the object 18 is held. The person then merely reaches into the retaining space 50, takes hold of the object 18, and removes it from the retention packaging 10.
The retention packaging 10 does not have to be damaged or torn in order to retrieve the object 18 there from. One merely pivots a support section about fold line 40 relative to the other support section to relax and loosen the film in order to remove the object 18 that was shipped therein. Further, the retention packaging 10 thereafter may be used again for shipment of a similarly shaped object. For reuse, either the original object 18 or an object having the same general shape and size as the original object 18 is placed in the retaining space 50 of the retention packaging 10. Then the retention packaging 10 is returned to the shipping configuration with the film 14 again conforming to the shape of the object, and the retention packaging 10 with the object retained therein is then placed in a box (possibly even the same box 16) for shipment. Furthermore, to the extent that the film 14 is initially stretched so as to retain a shape or memory of the original object 18, the object with which the retention packaging is reused is positioned in the same orientation so as to correspond with and conform to such stretched area of the film 14.
In general, the manufacturing system 54 includes: a film supply roll 56; an endless conveyor belt 58 for conveying and supporting uncut film 60 as it is removed from the supply roll 56; an apparatus (not shown) both for folding opposite side edges of the film 60 around opposite side edges of the support members 12, and for folding opposite side edges of the film such that the film forms overlapping areas; and an apparatus 64 for sealing and cutting the film 60 to form permanent overlapping areas of the film 14. Furthermore, the cutting and sealing apparatus 64 may be one apparatus as shown or may be two separate apparatus. The manufacturing system 54 also includes a support member supply 68 that feeds pre-cut support members 12 onto the belt 58 supporting the film 60.
The manufacturing system 54 is arranged such that a pre-cut support member 12 is placed onto the film 60 as the film 60 is unrolled. A series of support members 12 are arranged along the conveyor belt on top of the film 60 with some incremental, predetermined space between each of the support members 12. The folding apparatus provides a folding surface that encourages opposite side edges of the film 60 to fold over on itself. This results in the opposite side edges of the film 60 folding around opposite side edges of the support member 12 as well as folding over on itself to form overlapping areas of the film in the spacing between the support member 12. Then, while the folded side edges of the film 60 are maintained in said position, the cutting and sealing apparatus 64 seals and cuts the film 60 in between the support member 12 at adjacent leading and trailing edges of the support members 12. A retention packaging 10 is thereby formed after the overlapping areas of the film 14 have been sealed and cut on both the leading edge and then trailing edge of a support member 12. The completed retention packaging 10 then continues on the conveyor belt 58 and is received in a supply container.
It further is noted that, during manufacturing, the film 14 is disposed below the support member 12 relative to the ground. Subsequently, for use, the finished retention packaging 10 is turned upside down such that the support member 12 is disposed below the film 14, in relation to the ground, for then receiving an object for shipment.
As is illustrated in
After at least the first overlapping area is folded, the first overlapping area of the film 60 may be permanently joined together. The film 60 may also then be cut proximate the first overlapping area. Similarly, the second overlapping area of the film 60 may be permanently joined and then the film 60 may be cut proximate the second overlapping area. Typically, such sealing and cutting will occur between successive support members 12 so that sealing and cutting is occurring for a trailing edge of one support member 12 while simultaneously occurring for a leading edge of a following support member 12. After the film 14 is sealed and cut, it is retained to the support member 12 by the opposite side edges of the film 14 that are folded over opposite side edges of the support member 12 and the permanently joined overlapping areas of the film 14 that are beyond and proximate the leading and trailing edges of the support member 12.
In addition to the above outlined steps, the manufacturing process may also include scoring the support member 12 between opposite side edges of the support member 12 such that a score line 40 transects the support member 12 and defines first and second sections of the support member 12 that are pivotably connected to one another along the score line 40.
Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.
The present application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/865,847, filed Nov. 15, 2006, which provisional patent application is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60865847 | Nov 2006 | US |
