Patent Application
20060108408
This patent relates to the packaging arts. More particularly, this invention relates to a tray and post packaging system in which the tray includes means for capturing and holding the posts in place to make easier assembly of the overall packaging system.
Tubular paperboard posts are commonly used to cushion and protect packaged products such as large household appliances. The posts are made from paperboard wound into a tube and formed into a desirable shape, often one having an L-shaped cross-section so that the post can fit against a vertical edge of the product. Where the product is packaged inside a boxlike corrugated container, the posts are fitted against the vertical edges of the product and held in place between the product and the inner corners of the container. Additional posts having a generally I-shaped cross-section may be secured between the flat sides of the product and the container walls. In addition to protecting the product from side impact forces, the posts provide axial compression strength to enable stacking of packaged products (units).
Where the product is packaged in an open sided container, the container typically includes a top cap and base, and at their top and bottom ends each post is secured between the product and the top cap or base. Transparent film stretched around the posts helps unitize the package and protects the product from dust and dirt while giving a clear view of the product.
In the packaging of small items such as cylindrical snack food containers often it is not possible to secure the support posts between a vertical edge of the product and the walls of the container in which the products are shipped. In these situations an alternate means for securing the support posts is needed.
Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging system for relatively small items.
A further object of the invention is to provide a tray on which a relatively small item can rest and which includes means for holding vertical support posts in place.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tray for use with Sonoco Product Company's proprietary SONOPOP™ packaging system for shipping and displaying palletized products in a retail environment.
Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.
The present invention is an improved packaging article having means for capturing a vertical support post and holding it in place. The packaging article comprises a bottom panel and at least one side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel along a fold line. The means for capturing a vertical support post comprises a pair of tab portions die cut from a side panel and the bottom panel. The tab portions comprise a horizontal portion extending inward from the side panel and terminating at an intermediate fold line and a substantially vertical portion extending downward from the intermediate fold line and terminating at the bottom panel. The tab portions are configured to capture and hold in place a vertical support post between the tab portions.
The tab portions may be located near a corner of the packaging article and oriented perpendicularly to each other in order to capture and hold a corner post. Alternatively, the tab portions may be located along a side of the packaging article intermediate two corners and oriented parallel to each other in order to capture and hold a side post.
The invention is a tray or other packaging article having means for securing a vertical support post.
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Connector tabs 26 are foldably attached to either end of the side panels 24. Each side panel 22 includes L-shaped slots 28 at either end for receiving the connector tabs 26. When the side panels 22, 24 are folded perpendicularly to the bottom panel 16 toward the interior side of the bottom panel 16, the connector tabs 26 fit within the slots 28 to hold the side panels 22, 24 together. Of course, other tab and slot configurations and other means of joining the tray sides are contemplated, including but not limited to adhesive and tape, and may be used without departing from the scope of the invention as described and claimed herein.
The vertical support posts 14 may be conventional paperboard posts of the kind marketed by Sonoco Products Company of Hartsville, S.C., including those described in one or more of the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,267,651; 6,247,596; 6,513,662; 6,520,336, all incorporated herein by reference. The posts may also be formed from metal, plastic or any suitable material.
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Each tab portion 12 is further defined by inner and outer die cut lines 38, 40 extending from the first fold line 32 on the bottom panel 16 to second fold line 34 on a side panel 22, 24. The inner die cut line 38, located on the side of the tab portion 12 facing the vertical support post 14, may be contoured to better accommodate the shape of the post 14 (
To assemble the tray 10, the side panels 22, 24 are folded so that they extend upward at a ninety degree angle from the bottom panel 16. The connecting tabs 26 are inserted into the slots 28 in the side panels 22 to form the corners of the tray 10. The tab portions 12 are pressed inward to form buttress-like structures having a first portion 42 that extends substantially horizontally inward from the side panels 22, 24 and terminates at the intermediate fold line 36 and a second portion 44 that extends substantially vertically downward from the intermediate fold line 36 and terminates at the first fold line 32 and bottom panel 16 (
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Other modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention are contemplated which do not depart from the scope of the invention as defined by the foregoing teachings and appended claims. It is intended that the claims cover all such modifications that fall within their scope.
