U.S. patent application number 09/904378 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-16 for cushioning product and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to STOROpack, Inc.. Invention is credited to Deis, Paul.
Application Number | 20030009988 09/904378 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25419044 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030009988 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Deis, Paul |
January 16, 2003 |
Cushioning product and method
Abstract
A cushioning product comprises an elongated sheet of paper stock
having transverse fold lines and being alternatingly folded along
the fold lines in an accordion-like fashion, and a storage and
dispensing device which stores the folded sheet compressed and from
which the sheet is dispensed for use. The sheet can be 8" to 12"
wide. The fold lines can be 1" apart. The sheet can have transverse
perforations. The transverse perforations can be 16" apart. The
sheet has lateral edge portions and the lateral edge portions can
be folded over onto the balance of the sheet. The folded over
lateral edge portions can be 2" wide, or the folded over lateral
edge portions can substantially meet. In the latter case the folded
over lateral edge portions can have a small space between them. The
paper stock can be Kraft paper, recycled paper, or a combination of
Kraft paper and recycled paper. The storage and dispensing device
can be configured to store the folded compressed sheet linearly,
for example can be a box magazine. The storage and dispensing
device can also be configured to store the folded compressed sheet
spirally, for example can be a drum magazine.
Inventors: |
Deis, Paul; (Haguenau,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Wood, Herron & Evans, L.L.P.
2700 Carew Tower
441 Vine Street
Cincinnati
OH
45202-2917
US
|
Assignee: |
STOROpack, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
25419044 |
Appl. No.: |
09/904378 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/449 ; 53/445;
53/472; 53/474 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/672 20130101;
B65D 81/03 20130101; B65D 81/05 20130101; B65D 85/67 20130101; B65B
63/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/449 ; 53/445;
53/472; 53/474 |
International
Class: |
B65B 011/58; B65B
023/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cushioning product comprising: an elongated sheet of paper
stock having transverse fold lines and being alternatingly folded
along said fold lines in an accordion-like fashion; and a storage
and dispensing device which stores said folded sheet compressed and
from which said sheet is dispensed for use as a cushioning
product.
2. The cushioning product of claim 1 wherein said sheet is 8 to 12
inches wide.
3. The cushioning product of claim 2 wherein said fold lines are 1
inch apart.
4. The cushioning product of claim 3 wherein said sheet has
transverse perforations.
5. The cushioning product of claim 4 wherein said transverse
perforations are 16 inches apart.
6. The cushioning product of claim 1 wherein said sheet has lateral
edge portions and said lateral edge portions are folded over onto
the balance of said sheet.
7. The cushioning product of claim 6 wherein said folded over
lateral edge portions are 2 inches wide.
8. The cushioning product of claim 6 wherein said folded over
lateral edge portions substantially meet.
9. The cushioning product of claim 8 wherein said folded over
lateral edge portions have a small space therebetween.
10. The cushioning product of claim 1 wherein said paper stock is
Kraft paper.
11. The cushioning product of claim 1 wherein said paper stock is
recycled paper.
12. The cushioning product of claim 1 wherein said paper stock is a
combination of Kraft paper and recycled paper.
13. The cushioning product of claim 1 wherein said storage and
dispensing device is configured to store said folded compressed
sheet linearly.
14. The cushioning product of claim 13 wherein said storage and
dispensing device is a box magazine.
15. The cushioning product of claim 1 wherein said storage and
dispensing device is configured to store said folded compressed
sheet spirally.
16. The cushioning product of claim 15 wherein said storage and
dispensing device is a drum magazine.
17. A method of packing an item in a box comprising: providing the
item; providing the box; providing an elongated sheet of paper
stock having transverse fold lines and being alternatingly folded
along said fold lines in an accordion-like fashion, said folded
sheet being provided stored compressed by a storage and dispensing
device from which said sheet is dispensed for use; dispensing a
selected length of said folded paper stock sheet; separating said
selected length of folded paper stock sheet from that remaining in
said storage and dispensing device; placing said item in said box;
and placing said selected length of folded paper stock sheet
between said item and a wall of said box.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein said sheet is 8 to 12 inches
wide.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said fold lines are 1 inch
apart.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein said sheet has transverse
perforations.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein said transverse perforations are
16 inches apart.
22. The method of claim 17 wherein said sheet has lateral edge
portions and said lateral edge portions are folded over onto the
balance of said sheet.
23. The method of claim cushioning product of claim 22 wherein said
folded over lateral edge portions are 2 inches wide.
24. The method of claim 22 wherein said folded over lateral edge
portions substantially meet.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein said folded over lateral edge
portions have a small space therebetween.
26. The method of claim 17 wherein said paper stock is Kraft
paper.
27. The method of claim 17 wherein said paper stock is recycled
paper.
28. The method of claim 17 wherein said paper stock is a
combination of Kraft paper and recycled paper.
29. The method of claim 17 wherein said storage and dispensing
device is configured to store said folded compressed sheet
linearly.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein said storage and dispensing
device is a box magazine.
31. The method of claim 17 wherein said storage and dispensing
device is configured to store said folded compressed sheet
spirally.
32. The method of claim 31 wherein said storage and dispensing
device is a drum magazine.
33. A method of packing an item in a box comprising: providing the
item; providing the box; providing an elongated sheet of paper
stock having transverse fold lines and being alternatingly folded
along said fold lines in an accordion-like fashion, said folded
sheet being provided stored compressed by a storage and dispensing
device from which said sheet is dispensed for use; dispensing a
selected length of said folded paper stock sheet; separating said
selected length of folded paper stock sheet from that remaining in
said storage and dispensing device; wrapping said item with said
selected length of folded paper stock sheet; and placing said
wrapped item in said box.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein said sheet is 8 to 12 inches
wide.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein said fold lines are 1 inch
apart.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein said sheet has transverse
perforations.
37. The method of claim 36 wherein said transverse perforations are
16 inches apart.
38. The method of claim 33 wherein said sheet has lateral edge
portions and said lateral edge portions are folded over onto the
balance of said sheet.
39. The method of claim cushioning product of claim 38 wherein said
folded over lateral edge portions are 2 inches wide.
40. The method of claim 38 wherein said folded over lateral edge
portions substantially meet.
41. The method of claim 40 wherein said folded over lateral edge
portions have a small space therebetween.
42. The method of claim 33 wherein said paper stock is Kraft
paper.
43. The method of claim 33 wherein said paper stock is recycled
paper.
44. The method of claim 33 wherein said paper stock is a
combination of Kraft paper and recycled paper.
45. The method of claim 33 wherein said storage and dispensing
device is configured to store said folded compressed sheet
linearly.
46. The method of claim 45 wherein said storage and dispensing
device is a box magazine.
47. The method of claim 33 wherein said storage and dispensing
device is configured to store said folded compressed sheet
spirally.
48. The method of claim 47 wherein said storage and dispensing
device is a drum magazine.
49. A method of packing an item in a box comprising: providing the
item; providing the box; providing an elongated sheet of paper
stock having transverse fold lines and being alternatingly folded
along said fold lines in an accordion-like fashion, said folded
sheet being provided stored compressed by a storage and dispensing
device from which said sheet is dispensed for use; dispensing a
first selected length of said folded paper stock sheet; separating
said first selected length of folded paper stock sheet from that
remaining in said storage and dispensing device; wrapping said item
with said first selected length of folded paper stock sheet;
placing said wrapped item in said box; dispensing a second selected
length of said folded paper stock sheet; separating said second
selected length of folded paper stock sheet from that remaining in
said storage and dispensing device; and placing said second
selected length of folded paper stock sheet between said wrapped
item and a wall of said box.
50. The method of claim 49 wherein said sheet is 8 to 12 inches
wide.
51. The method of claim 50 wherein said fold lines are 1 inch
apart.
52. The method of claim 51 wherein said sheet has transverse
perforations.
53. The method of claim 52 wherein said transverse perforations are
16 inches apart.
54. The method of claim 49 wherein said sheet has lateral edge
portions and said lateral edge portions are folded over onto the
balance of said sheet.
55. The method of claim cushioning product of claim 54 wherein said
folded over lateral edge portions are 2 inches wide.
56. The method of claim 54 wherein said folded over lateral edge
portions substantially meet.
57. The method of claim 56 wherein said folded over lateral edge
portions have a small space therebetween.
58. The method of claim 49 wherein said paper stock is Kraft
paper.
59. The method of claim 49 wherein said paper stock is recycled
paper.
60. The method of claim 49 wherein said paper stock is a
combination of Kraft paper and recycled paper.
61. The method of claim 49 wherein said storage and dispensing
device is configured to store said folded compressed sheet
linearly.
62. The method of claim 61 wherein said storage and dispensing
device is a box magazine.
63. The method of claim 49 wherein said storage and dispensing
device is configured to store said folded compressed sheet
spirally.
64. The method of claim 63 wherein said storage and dispensing
device is a drum magazine.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to cushioning products, and
more specifically to a cushioning product produced offsite for
onsite delivery and use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the process of shipping an item from one location to
another, a protective packaging material is typically placed in the
shipping carton or box, to fill any voids and/or to cushion the
item during the shipping process. Examples of protective packaging
materials are foam "peanuts," air filled plastic "pillows," and
paper sheet material "converted" into cushioning pads.
[0003] In the case of air pillows and paper pads the current
practice is for a shipper, for example manufacturer or distributor
of goods, to either lease or purchase a machine for onsite
production of the air pillows or paper pads. Typically a shipper
must be of a fairly substantial size and means in order to justify
the cost of an onsite machine.
[0004] Due to a changing economy there has been an increase in the
number of shippers that ship only one or two items per box, as well
as an increase in the number of small packages shipped.
Consequently there has been an increase in the so-called "small
user" market segment for economical protective packaging materials
which do not require the expenditure of large capital sums for
onsite cushioning product production machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the principles of the present invention,
a cushioning product comprises an elongated sheet of paper stock
having transverse fold lines and being alternatingly folded along
the fold lines in an accordion-like fashion, and a storage and
dispensing device which stores the folded sheet compressed and from
which the sheet is dispensed for use as a cushioning product.
[0006] The sheet can be 8" to 12" wide. The fold lines can be 1"
apart. The sheet can have transverse perforations. The transverse
perforations can be 16" apart.
[0007] The sheet has lateral edge portions and the lateral edge
portions can be folded over onto the balance of the sheet. The
folded over lateral edge portions can be 2" wide, or the folded
over lateral edge portions can substantially meet. In the latter
case the folded over lateral edge portions can have a small space
between them.
[0008] The paper stock can be Kraft paper, recycled paper, or a
combination of Kraft paper and recycled paper.
[0009] The storage and dispensing device can be configured to store
the folded compressed sheet linearly, for example can be a box
magazine. The storage and dispensing device can also be configured
to store the folded compressed sheet spirally, for example can be a
drum magazine.
[0010] In another aspect the invention is a method of packing an
item in a box comprising providing the item, providing the box,
providing an elongated sheet of paper stock having transverse fold
lines and being alternatingly folded along the fold lines in an
accordion-like fashion, the folded sheet being provided stored
compressed by a storage and dispensing device from which the sheet
is dispensed for use, dispensing a selected length of the folded
paper stock sheet, separating the selected length of folded paper
stock sheet from that remaining in the storage and dispensing
device, placing the item in the box and placing the selected length
of folded paper stock sheet between the item and a wall of the
box.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of packing
an item in a box comprising providing the item, providing the box,
providing an elongated sheet of paper stock having transverse fold
lines and being alternatingly folded along the fold lines in an
accordion-like fashion, the folded sheet being provided stored
compressed by a storage and dispensing device from which the sheet
is dispensed for use, dispensing a selected length of the folded
paper stock sheet, separating the selected length of folded paper
stock sheet from that remaining in the storage and dispensing
device, wrapping the item with a selected length of folded paper
stock sheet and placing the wrapped item in the box.
[0012] In still another aspect, the invention is a method of
packing an item in a box comprising providing the item, providing
the box, providing an elongated sheet of paper stock having
transverse fold lines and being alternatingly folded along the fold
lines in an accordion-like fashion, the folded sheet being provided
stored compressed by a storage and dispensing device from which the
sheet is dispensed for use, dispensing a first selected length of
the folded paper stock sheet, separating the first selected length
of folded paper stock sheet from that remaining in the storage and
dispensing device, wrapping the item with the first selected length
of folded paper stock sheet, placing the wrapped item in the box,
dispensing a second selected length of the folded paper stock
sheet, separating the second selected length of folded paper stock
sheet from that remaining in the storage and dispensing device and
placing the second selected length of folded paper stock sheet
between the wrapped item and a wall of the box.
[0013] The major advantage of the invention is that it provides the
so-called small user of protective packaging with an economical
paper cushioning pad which is produced and packaged offsite for use
onsite by the small user, thereby obviating the need for the small
user to invest in cushioning product production machinery.
[0014] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become more readily apparent during the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings herein,
in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a top view of the cushioning product of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cushioning product of FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an end view of an elongated sheet of paper stock
having lateral edge portions folded over onto the balance of the
sheet and from which the cushioning product of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be
produced;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but with the folded over
lateral edge portions substantially meeting;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a side view of the cushioning product of FIGS. 1
and 2 stored compressed linearly in a box magazine; and
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side view of the cushioning product of FIGS. 1
and 2 stored compressed spirally in a drum magazine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a cushioning
product 10 according to the principles of the present invention.
Cushioning product 10 is produced from an elongated sheet 12 of
paper stock having transverse fold lines 14 and being alternatingly
folded along the fold lines 14 in an accordion-like or fan-folded
fashion. Sheet 12 can be Kraft paper, recycled paper or a
combination of Kraft paper and recycled paper. Sheet 12 can be 8"
to 12" wide, and the fold lines 14 can be about 1" apart. Sheet 12
can include perforations 16, which perforations can be about 16"
apart. Thus, a 16" length of 1" fan-folded paper stock sheet 12
forms an accordion-like pad about 12" long by 12" wide by about
{fraction (23/32)}" thick, a size especially suited to the small
user.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, sheet 12, preferably a
single ply sheet, can be reinforced by folding over the lateral
edge portions 20 over onto the balance of the sheet 12. Fold over
lateral edge portions 20 can be 2" wide, for example, as shown in
FIG. 3. Or, as shown in FIG. 4, the folded over lateral edge
portions 20 can substantially meet, with only a small space 22
being left therebetween.
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates one type of storage and dispensing device
30 in which the cushioning product 10 can be stored and from which
the cushioning product 10 can be dispensed. Storage and dispensing
device 30 is in the form of a box magazine in which the folded
sheet 12, from which the cushioning product 10 is formed, is stored
compressed linearly. Box magazine 30 can be fabricated of paper and
is about 81/4" wide by 11" long by 11/8" thick for storing the 8"
wide sheet 12. The capacity of such a size of box magazine 30 is
140 linear feet of sheet 12 and 100 linear feet of cushioning pad
10. A box magazine storage and dispensing device (not shown) could
be fabricated to hold, for example, 12 such box magazines 30, which
would provide a total capacity of 1200 linear feet of 8" wide
cushioning pad 10. Alternatively, storage and dispensing device 30
could be fabricated from ABS plastic as on open top tray (not
shown), with the trays being configured to stack one upon
another.
[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates another type of storage and dispensing
device 40 in which the cushioning product 10 can be stored and from
which the cushioning product 10 can be dispensed. Storage and
dispensing device 40 is in the form of a drum magazine in which the
folded sheet 12, from which the cushioning product 10 is formed, is
stored compressed spirally. Drum magazine 40 includes a central
spine or tube 42 about 2' in diameter about which are spiraled
walls 44 which are spaced about 1" apart. Alternatively, storage
and dispensing device 40 could comprise simply the spine or tube 42
with the folded sheet 12 simply spiraled around the tube 42. Drum
magazine 40 can be 12" wide by about 16" in diameter for storing
the 12" wide sheet 12. The capacity of such a size of drum magazine
40 (or of fan-folded paper sheet 12 simply wrapped around tube 42)
is 2,586 linear feet of sheet 12 and 1,836 linear feet of 12" wide
cushioning pad 10.
[0025] In use, a length of the folded paper stock sheet 12 is
dispensed from either box magazine 30 or drum magazine 40 (or
simply from tube 42). The length of the folded paper stock sheet 12
is then separated from that remaining in the storage and dispensing
device 30 or 40, and the cushioning product 12 formed by the
expanding fan-folded or accordion-folded sheet 12 is then placed
between the item and a wall of the box in which the item is to be
shipped, or is used to wrap the item and the wrapped item is placed
in the box. In addition or alternatively, the item can be wrapped
with one length of cushioning product 10, placed in the box and a
second length of cushioning product 10 can be placed between the
wrapped item and a wall of the box.
[0026] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous
adaptations and modifications which can be made to the present
invention which will result in an improved cushioning product and
method, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of
the present invention as defined in the following claims.
Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of
the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *