U.S. patent application number 09/929725 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-27 for protective cover for stacked lumber.
This patent application is currently assigned to Olympic General Corporation. Invention is credited to Hall, George M., McCown, David Michael.
Application Number | 20010054565 09/929725 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24378048 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010054565 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCown, David Michael ; et
al. |
December 27, 2001 |
Protective cover for stacked lumber
Abstract
A protective covering for a lumber stack is constructed by
providing an appropriately sized sheet of heavy duty heat
shrinkable plastic material, folding the side edges of the plastic
sheeting material inwardly along spaced apart longitudinally
extending lines to form top and bottom layers and joining the ends
of the top and bottom layers to define a top layer which is
imperforate throughout its entire length and width and a bottom
layer which is imperforate throughout its entire length and width
except for an opening extending the longitudinal center line of the
bottom wall from end to the other. A lumber stack is received
through the opening in the bottom wall thereby forming initially
upwardly extending rectangularly shaped panels which are folded
downwardly and secured to the ends of the lumber stack. The
portions of the plastic sheeting extending adjacent the ends and
the corners of the lumber stack are then heated to shrink the
plastic sheeting into secure engagement with the lumber stack.
Inventors: |
McCown, David Michael;
(Arlington, TX) ; Hall, George M.; (Colleyville,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael A. O'Neil
MICHAEL A. O'NEIL, P.C.
Suite 1030
5949 Sherry Lane
Dallas
TX
75225
US
|
Assignee: |
Olympic General Corporation
|
Family ID: |
24378048 |
Appl. No.: |
09/929725 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09929725 |
Aug 14, 2001 |
|
|
|
09594225 |
Jun 14, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/497 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 65/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/497 |
International
Class: |
B65D 065/00; B65D
071/08 |
Claims
1. A lumber stack protection assembly for receiving a lumber stack
comprising a rectangular sheet of plastic material having side
edges and end edges and folded along longitudinally extending lines
each located inwardly from an adjacent side edge approximately one
quarter of the width of the sheet to define top and bottom walls
which are joined one to another along the entire width of the end
edges, the top wall being entirely closed across its entire length
and width and the bottom wall being entirely closed across its
entire length and width except for a lumber stack receiving opening
extending the entire length of the longitudinal center line of the
bottom wall.
2. The lumber stack protection assembly according to claim 1
wherein the plastic sheeting material comprises a heavy duty heat
shrinkable plastic material.
3. The lumber stack protection assembly according to claim 1
wherein the end edges of the top and bottom walls are joined
together by heat sealing.
4. The lumber stack protection assembly according to claim 1
wherein the end edges of the top and bottom walls are joined
together by an adhesive.
5. The lumber stack protection assembly according to claim 1
wherein the plastic sheeting material comprises a heavy duty heat
shrinkable plastic material and wherein the end edges of the top
and bottom layers are joined together by heat sealing.
6. A method of manufacturing a lumber stack protection assembly for
receiving and thereafter protecting a lumber stack comprising the
steps of: providing a sheet of plastic sheeting material having a
predetermined length and a predetermined width and characterized by
opposed side edges and opposed end edges; folding the sheet of
plastic sheeting material along parallel longitudinally extending
lines each located about one quarter of the width of the sheet of
plastic sheeting material inwardly from the side edges thereof to
form the sheet of plastic sheeting material into a top wall and
bottom wall; and securing the opposed end edges of the top wall to
the opposed end edges of the bottom wall; thereby forming a lumber
stack protection assembly characterized by a top wall which is
closed throughout its entire length and width and a bottom wall
which is closed throughout its entire length and width except for
an opening extending along the longitudinal center line of the
bottom wall the entire distance between the end edges hereof.
7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the steps of providing a
sheet of plastic sheeting material is further characterized by
providing a sheet of heavy duty heat shrinkable plastic sheeting
material.
8. The method according to claim 6 wherein the step of securing the
end edges of the top wall to the end edges of the bottom wall is
carried out bye heat sealing.
9. The method according to claim 6 wherein the step of securing the
end edges of the top wall to the end edges of the bottom wall is
carried out by deploying an adhesive between the opposed surfaces
of the end edges of the top wall and the bottom wall.
10. The method according to claim 6 wherein the step of providing a
sheet of plastic sheeting is carried out by providing a sheet of
heavy duty heat shrinkable plastic sheeting and wherein the step of
securing the end edges of the top wall to the end edges of the
bottom wall is carried out by heat sealing.
11. The method according to claim 10 further including the
subsequent step of receiving a lumber stack through the opening in
the bottom wall of the lumber stack protection assembly.
12. The method according to claim 11 further including the
subsequent step of heating portions of the lumber stack protection
assembly and thereby shrinking the lumber stack protection assembly
into engagement with the lumber stack received therein.
13. A protective covering for a lumber stack comprising: a
rectangular sheet of plastic material having side edges and end
edges and folded along longitudinally extending lines each located
inwardly from an adjacent side edge approximately one quarter of
the width of the sheet to define top and bottom walls which are
joined one to another along the entire width of the end edges, the
top wall being entirely solid across its entire length and width
and the bottom wall being entirely solid across its entire length
and width except for a lumber stack receiving opening extending the
entire length of the longitudinal center line of the bottom wall; a
lumber stack received within the plastic sheeting construction
through the opening in the bottom wall thereof thereby defining
initially upwardly extending rectangularly shaped panels which are
folded downwardly and secured adjacent the ends of the lumber
stack.
14. The plastic sheeting construction according to claim 13 wherein
the plastic sheeting material comprises a heavy duty heat
shrinkable plastic material.
15. The plastic sheeting construction according to claim 13 wherein
the end edges of the top and bottom walls are joined together by
heat sealing.
16. The plastic sheeting construction according to claim 13 wherein
the end edges of the top and bottom walls are joined together by an
adhesive.
17. The plastic sheeting construction according to claim 13 wherein
the plastic sheeting material comprises a heavy duty heat
shrinkable plastic material and wherein the end edges of the top
and bottom layers are joined together by heat sealing.
18. A method of protecting a lumber stack comprising: A method of
manufacturing a plastic sheet construction for receiving and
thereafter protecting a lumber stack comprising the steps of:
providing a sheet of plastic sheeting material having a
predetermined length and a predetermined width and characterized by
opposed side edges and opposed end edges; folding the sheet of
plastic sheeting material along parallel longitudinally extending
lines each located about one quarter of the width of the sheet of
plastic sheeting material inwardly from the side edges thereof to
form the sheet of plastic sheeting material into a top wall and
bottom wall; and securing the opposed end edges of the top wall to
the opposed end edges of the bottom wall; thereby forming a plastic
sheeting construction characterized by a top wall which is solid
throughout its entire length and width and a bottom wall which is
solid throughout its entire length and width except for an opening
extending along the longitudinal center line of the bottom wall the
entire distance between the end edges hereof; receiving a lumber
stack through the opening in the bottom wall; positioning at least
the bottom wall adjacent the sides and ends of the lumber stack and
thereby defining initially upwardly extending rectangular panels
comprising portions of the top wall and the bottom wall; folding
the rectangular panels downwardly and securing the rectangular
panels to the ends of the lumber stack.
19. The method according to claim 18 wherein the steps of providing
a sheet of plastic sheeting material is further characterized by
providing a sheet of heavy duty heat shrinkable plastic sheeting
material.
20. The method according to claim 18 wherein the step of securing
the end edges of the top wall to the end edges of the bottom wall
is carried out by heat sealing.
21. The method according to claim 18 wherein the step of securing
the end edges of the top wall to the end edges of the bottom wall
is carried out by deploying an adhesive between the opposed
surfaces of the end edges of the top wall and the bottom wall.
22. The method according to claim 18 wherein the step of providing
a sheet of plastic sheeting is carried out by providing a sheet of
heavy duty heat shrinkable plastic sheeting and wherein the step of
securing the end edges of the top wall to the end edges of the
bottom wall is carried out by heat sealing.
23. The method according to claim 22 further including the
subsequent step of receiving a lumber stack through the opening in
the bottom wall of the lumber stack protection assembly.
24. The method according to claim 23 further including the
subsequent step of heating portions of the lumber stack protection
assembly and thereby shrinking the lumber stack protection assembly
into engagement with the lumber stack received therein.
25. A method of protecting a lumber stack characterized by opposed
side walls, opposed end walls, and a top wall including the steps
of: providing a sheet of heavy duty heat shrinkable plastic
material; positioning the sheet of heavy duty heat shrinkable
plastic material in engagement with the side walls, the end walls,
and the top wall of the lumber stack to be protected; and
subsequently heating portions of the sheer of heavy duty heat
shrinkable plastic material and thereby shrinking the sheet of
heavy duty heat shrinkable plastic material into secure engagement
with the lumber stack.
26. The method according to claim 25 including the additional step
of forming the sheet of heavy duty heat shrinkable plastic material
into a lumber stack protection assembly characterized by a top wall
which is closed throughout its entire length and width and a bottom
wall which is closed throughout its entire length and width except
for an opening extending along the longitudinal center line of the
bottom wall the entire distance between the end edges thereof; and
receiving the lumber stack through the opening in the bottom wall
of the lumber stack protection assembly.
27. The method according to claim 26 further characterized by
heating the portions of the lumber stack protection assembly which
are engaged with the ends of the lumber stack to shrink the lumber
stack protection assembly into secure engagement with the lumber
stack.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally to the protection of
stacked lumber from damage due to weather, etc., during shipment,
and more particularly to a method of and apparatus for protecting
stacked lumber which incorporate numerous advantages over the prior
art.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 2.times.4's, 2.times.6's, 2.times.8's, plywood, and similar
lumber products are typically arranged in stacks for shipment from
the manufacturer to lumber yards, hardware stores, contractors,
etc. Stacks of lumber are typically wrapped in plastic sheeting
during transport. The plastic wrapping protects the lumber from
exposure to the elements and also provides a convenient place to
identify the manufacturer of the lumber.
[0003] In a typical application, plastic sheeting covers all four
sides and the top, but not the bottom, of a lumber stack.
Heretofore two methods have been used to wrap lumber stacks with
plastic sheeting. One method is to wrap a lumber stack with an
appropriately sized plastic sheet in the same manner that a
rectangular package is wrapped for shipping or as a gift. Another
method is to use an envelope-like construction comprising a plastic
sheet with is folded in half longitudinally and sealed at the ends.
The resulting construction is utilized by separating the plastic
layers at the open side of the envelope, fitting the envelope over
a lumber stack, then folding the ends of the envelope
downwardly.
[0004] Regardless of which of the foregoing procedures is utilized
to wrap a lumber stack in plastic sheeting, it has heretofore been
the practice to secure the plastic sheeting to the lumber stack by
stapling the plastic sheeting to the lowermost layer of lumber in
the stack at spaced apart intervals around the entire periphery of
the stack. The use of staples to secure plastic sheeting to a
lumber stack is disadvantageous for at least two reasons. First,
the staples can severely damage the lumber into which they are
inserted. Second, the stapling procedure is time consuming and
therefore expensive.
[0005] The present invention comprises a method of and apparatus
for securing protective plastic sheeting around stacked lumber
which overcomes the foregoing and other difficulties which have
long since characterized the prior art. In accordance with the
broader aspects of the invention, the plastic sheeting that is
utilized in the protection of stacked lumber comprises heavy duty
shrinkwrap plastic material. The heavy duty shrinkwrap plastic
material is positioned around a lumber stack. Thereafter, the
portions of the heavy duty shrinkwrap material which are located at
the ends of the lumber stack are heated. In this manner, the heavy
duty shrinkwrap material is drawn tightly around the lumber stack
and is secured thereto without the use of multiple staples.
[0006] In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention, a
layer of heavy duty shrinkwrap plastic material is closely fitted
around a lumber stack. The portions of the heavy duty shrink wrap
plastic material which engage the ends of the lumber stack are
initially secured in place by as few as two staples. Thereafter,
the portions of the heavy duty plastic shrinkwrap material which
engage the ends and the corners of the lumber stack are heated,
thereby securing the heavy duty plastic shrinkwrap material
securely to the lumber stack particularly at the corners.
Optionally, the portion of the heavy duty plastic shrinkwrap
material which extends across the top of the lumber stack may also
be heated resulting in a smooth, upper surface.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an
appropriately sized sheet of heavy duty plastic shrinkwrap material
is folded along spaced apart longitudinally extending lines and is
sealed at the ends. The resulting construction is characterized by
a solid upper layer and a lower layer having an opening extending
longitudinally along the center thereof from one end to the other.
The plastic sheeting construction of the present invention is much
easier to install around a lumber stack as compared with the
envelope of the prior art in which the opening extends along the
side edges of spaced apart plastic layers. Additionally, when the
plastic sheeting construction of the present invention is installed
around a lumber stack, the end portions thereof are formed into a
rectangular flap which is easily secured in place by two staples at
each end of the lumber stack.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A more complete understanding of the invention may be had by
reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first step in a prior art
method of protecting stacked lumber;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a subsequent step in the prior
art method of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a subsequent step in the prior
art method of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a subsequent step in the prior
art method of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a subsequent step in the prior
art method of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the final step in the prior art
method of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5;
[0015] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a first step in the method of
protecting stacked lumber comprised in the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a subsequent step in the method
of FIG. 7;
[0017] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a subsequent step in the method
of FIGS. 7 and 8;
[0018] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a subsequent step in the
method of FIGS. 7, 8, and 9;
[0019] FIG. 11 is an illustration of a subsequent step in the
method of FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10;
[0020] FIG. 12 is an illustration of a final step in the method of
FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11; and
[0021] FIG. 13 is an illustration of the result obtained from the
method of protecting stacked lumber comprised in the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-6
thereof, there is shown a method of enclosing a lumber stack in a
layer of plastic sheeting 10 which is characteristic of the prior
art. In accordance with the method 10, an appropriately sized layer
of plastic sheeting 12 is folded along its longitudinally center
line 14 thereby defining an upper layer 16 and a lower layer 18.
The ends 20 and 22 of the layers 16 and 18 are joined, typically by
heat sealing. In this manner, there is provided an envelope
characterized by an opening 24 extending along the edges of the
layers 16 and 18 opposite the folds therebetween.
[0023] In actual practice, the envelopes of FIGS. 1-6 are
manufactured from a continuous tube of plastic material. The tube
is slit along one edge thereof. Both ends of each envelope formed
from the tube are heat sealed. The tube is also perforated at the
ends of each envelope to facilitate the separation of one envelope
from the next.
[0024] The plastic sheeting envelopes of the prior art are
typically provided in rolls 30. When an individual plastic sheeting
envelope is removed from a roll 30, it must be manipulated into a
vertical orientation to align the opening 24 thereof with a lumber
stack LS. The layers 16 and 18 are then separated and extended
along the sides of the lumber stack LS. This results in triangular
shapes projections 34 extending outwardly at the opposite ends of
the lumber stack LS. As is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the projections
34 are folded downwardly, after which the plastic sheeting
comprising the envelope is secured to the lumber stack LS by
multiple staples 36 which are driven into the lumber stack LS at
spaced apart intervals extending around the entire periphery
thereof.
[0025] The use of staples to secure protective plastic sheeting
around a lumber stack is disadvantageous for at least two reasons.
First, the installation of staples is a time consuming and
therefore expensive process. Perhaps more importantly, the
outermost components of the lower layer comprising the lumber stack
can be and often are ruined by the staples which are used to secure
the plastic sheeting into place.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 7-13, there is shown a method of and
apparatus for protecting stacked lumber which incorporates the
preferred embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with
the method 40, a suitably sized sheet of heavy duty plastic
shrinkwrap material 42 is folded along spaced apart longitudinally
extending lines 44 and 46 to form an upper layer 48 and a lower
layer 50. The opposite ends 52 and 54 of the upper and lower layers
48 and 50 are then joined. The joining step is typically carried
out by heat sealing, however, various types and kinds of adhesives
may be utilized to join the ends of the upper and lower layers 48
and 50 depending upon the requirements of particular applications
of the invention.
[0027] In actual practice, the envelopes of FIGS. 1-6 are
manufactured from a continuous tube of plastic material. The tube
is slit along the bottom thereof. Both ends of each envelope formed
from the tube are heat sealed. The tube is also perforated at the
ends of each envelope to facilitate the separation of one envelope
from the next.
[0028] The resulting lumber stack protection assembly comprises an
upper layer 48 which is entirely solid throughout its length and
width. The lower layer is differentiated from the upper layer 48 in
that is entirely solid throughout its length and width except for
an opening 56 which extends longitudinally along the center line of
the lower layer 50 from the end 52 to the end 54.
[0029] The foregoing steps result in a lumber stack protection
assembly comprising the present invention. The lumber stack
protection assembly may be supplied in rolls 60. When an individual
lumber stack protection assembly incorporating the invention is
removed from a roll 60, it is easily centered over a lumber stack
to be protected with the opening 56 thereof aligned with the center
line of the lumber stack LS. The difficulty which has characterized
the proper alignment of the opening extending along one side of the
envelope of the prior art with the lumber stack to be protected is
thereby eliminated.
[0030] After the lumber stack protection assembly of the present
invention is aligned with a lumber stack to be protected, the
opposite sides of the bottom wall 50 thereof are separated and
extended along the sides of the lumber stack LS. This results in
rectangularly shaped projections 62 which are folded downwardly and
secured in place by two staples 64 which are driven into the ends
of the lumber stack.
[0031] Referring particularly to FIGS. 12 and 13, the next step in
the method of the present invention comprising the application of
heat to the portions of the lumber stack protection assembly which
are located at the ends and the corners of the lumber stack. In
this manner the heavy duty plastic heat shrink material which is
utilized in the fabrication of the lumber stack protection assembly
is drawn tightly into engagement with the corners of the lumber
stack in the manner indicated at 66. In this manner the lumber
stack protection assembly is tightly secured to the lumber stack LS
without requiring the use of multiple staples driven into the
lumber stack at spaced apart intervals around the entire periphery
of the lower most layer thereof.
[0032] The method of the present invention includes the optional
step of applying heat to the portion of the lumber stack protection
assembly which extends over the top of the lumber stack. The
optional step of heating the top surface of the lumber stack
protection assembly results in a covering for the top of the lumber
stack which is entirely smooth and wrinkle free. As will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, in many instances lumber
stacks are positioned one on top of another for transport in which
case the step of heating the portion of the plastic sheeting
construction 60 extending over the top of the lumber stack is
usually considered unnecessary.
[0033] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated in the accompanying Drawing and described in the
foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the
invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but is
capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and
substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the
spirit of the invention.
* * * * *