U.S. patent application number 10/210800 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-02 for tire box and a method of packaging a tire.
Invention is credited to Bordon, Gabriele, Girolami, Giulio.
Application Number | 20030183542 10/210800 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11456023 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030183542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bordon, Gabriele ; et
al. |
October 2, 2003 |
Tire box and a method of packaging a tire
Abstract
A box 10, 30, 40, 50 for containing a tire 2 has one or more
closed ends, two sides and at least one open end exposing a portion
of the tread of the tire 2. The box 10, 30, 40 or 50 has one or
more tire restraining means extending internally into the box and
provide a means to restrict tire movement within the box. The box
10, 30, 40, 50 preferably has an opening for a hand grip and large
exterior surfaces for promotional information about the
product.
Inventors: |
Bordon, Gabriele; (Rome,
IT) ; Girolami, Giulio; (Rome, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
D/823
1144 East Market Street
Akron
OH
44316-0001
US
|
Family ID: |
11456023 |
Appl. No.: |
10/210800 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/304.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/304.2 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 26, 2002 |
IT |
RM2002 U 000054 |
Mar 26, 2002 |
IT |
RM2002 0000072 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A box for containing a tire, the box comprising: one or more
closed ends; two sides; and at least one open end exposing a
portion of the tread of the tire.
2. The box of claim 1, the box having one or more tire restraining
means, the one or more restraining means extending internally into
the box and providing a means to restrict tire movement within the
box.
3. The box of claim 1 wherein one of the sides has an opening, the
opening providing a hand grip location for carrying the box.
4. The box of claim 1 wherein exterior surfaces have promotional
information about the product.
5. The box of claim 1 wherein a portion of the at least one open
end includes a surface for attaching or printing directly onto a
shipping label.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a novel packaging design for
tires.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Tires are sold in a variety of ways. Historically most
purchases of tires occur by looking at the displays in tire stores,
a purchase selection would be made and the tires would be pulled
from inventory, and placed directly on the vehicle. Most tires are
commonly sold in this fashion.
[0003] The customer of the tires is directed to a purchase by an
experienced salesperson who may inquire as to make and model of the
vehicle and what type of treadwear warranty the driver may prefer
and what amount of money the purchaser is willing to pay.
[0004] Historically tire sales were made in tire company-owned
stores or gasoline service stations.
[0005] Today tires are not sold at most gasoline stations which
really are convenience stores with gas station pumps outside. Most
tires are sold at large department stores such as Sears and
Wal-Mart or a large volume discount tire store like National Tire
& Battery Corp. in addition to the more traditional tire stores
that sell primarily one brand of tires.
[0006] Another new outlet for tires is internet sales. In this form
of distribution of tires the customer can order tires online and
the tires may be shipped directly to the customer who can make his
own arrangements for getting the tires mounted onto the rims of his
or her vehicle.
[0007] Typically tires sold on the internet are shipped by carriers
by attaching a glued clear envelope with the package labeling
shown. The customer when receiving the tires must use care to avoid
rubbing against the tire or setting the tires on carpets because
the tires themselves can actually stain fabrics if left in contact
over a few hours. Accordingly, some tires are actually taped with a
wrap to avoid the problem.
[0008] Ideally the tire manufacturer would like to display the most
important attributes of the tire, namely the tread while at the
same time provide an efficient package for shipping and handling
the tire.
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a packaging
that protects the tire, particularly the tire's sidewall; provides
an improved surface for attaching labels for shipping, and provides
a striking surface for providing promotional information about the
product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention will be described by way of example and with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment
of the invention for ease of understanding a tire is shown in
dashed lines.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows the perspective view of the first embodiment of
the invention in an assembled and ready to ship state.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the exterior box of the first
embodiment shown unfolded, the dashed lines representing the fold
lines.
[0014] FIG. 4 is one of the tire restraining means of the first
embodiment shown unfolded in a plan view.
[0015] FIG. 5 is the folded tire restraining means of the first
embodiment taken from FIG. 4 shown in an end view.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a second embodiment of the invention shown in a
perspective view and partially opened but wrapped around a tire
illustrated in dashed lines.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment tire
box shown closed with the restraining means shown internally
securing the tire shown in dashed lines.
[0018] FIGS. 8 through 12 show a third embodiment of the invention
illustrating a tire box having a single open corner, FIG. 8 being
the plan view of the flat box unfolded while FIGS. 9 through 11
show various stages of the folding; FIG. 12 shows the assembled box
with a tire illustrated by dashed lines.
[0019] FIGS. 13 through 20 are a fourth embodiment of the
invention, views 13 through 15 represent an outer covering while
FIGS. 16 through 20 represent a tire box that may be used
separately or in conjunction with the outer covering.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] With reference to the FIGS. 1 through 20 a number of
examples of present invention are illustrated. The four examples
shown each provide a simple yet efficient way to package a tire
while exposing a portion of the tread for viewing.
[0021] As illustrated each tire box may further be wrapped in a
clear protecting film, however, this is not mandatory.
[0022] The first illustrated embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1
through 4 has an outer cover 12, two restraining means 14 and an
optional label or decal 16 for placing shipping information. The
outer cover 12 is shown unfolded in FIG. 3. A semicircular cut 13
is shown on one side 15 of the outer cover 12. The top end 19 of
the cover 12 is between the two sides 15. The bottom end 17 of the
cover 12 is formed by two ends 17 that can be taped together.
[0023] In FIG. 4 the tire restraining means 14 is shown. The ends
of the restraining means 14 fold over to form the triangular shape
end 24 as shown in FIG. 5. The slot 21 fits over the pop-up portion
22 to secure the ends 24. These restraining means 14 fit on two
opposing sides of the tire 2 and the outer cover 12 fits over
wrapping the tire 2 and the two restraining means 14 and forming
the tire box 10 as shown. Portions of the tire tread are exposed on
two open ends 11 of the box. The tire's outside diameter OD is
larger than the width of the sides 15. This feature protects the
tire's sidewalls yet allows the customer to see the tread of the
tire 2. In most cases the tire manufacturer takes great pride in
his tread pattern. The performance characteristics of the tire
depend greatly on the tread. Accordingly, an important aspect of
the present invention is to insure that the tread is prominently
visible. A secondary consideration to the tire manufacturer is to
convey a lot of information about the tire in a convenient and
logical manner. The tire 2 in the box 10 provides large surfaces on
the sides 15 and ends 19 to provide pictures and advertising
directly onto the box. This makes the tires stand out when
displayed in a box 10. The retailer has a convenient stackable way
of creating a display of tires.
[0024] The box 10 also provides a convenient way to ship product.
This is particularly valuable to the individual who wants to
purchase tires online via the computer. These customers will
receive a tire in the nicely packaged container of the present
invention. The tires' sidewalls will be clean when received and the
tires themselves will be isolated from the customers' clothing,
carpets, or vehicle fabric. Tires are notorious for their ability
to stain fabric. The present invention insures that such problems
are greatly diminished.
[0025] The sides and ends of the box provide wonderful surfaces to
put the product information on. Colorful labeling and photographs
enhance the visual impact. The road traction features of the tread
are highlighted by exposing the tread by projecting a portion of
the tread beyond the box on at least one end of the box. The
customer not only sees the product but has his or her attention
directly drawn to that portion of the tire that contacts the road.
In fact, in those embodiments wherein the exposed tread portion
projects out, the customer visually is seeing the subtlety that
only a small portion of the tire is in contact with the road. All
the action created by the tread must occur in this very small
contact patch. This helps tire manufacturers in a very pointed but
subtle way teach the tire buyer about the sophisticated nature of
the product and why in certain applications such as very high
performance vehicles and luxury cars' premium materials and design
for the tire will make a big difference in the vehicle performance.
The tire box says to the customer this is not just another tire.
For this reason the tire in a box concept has great appeal to the
more discerning and tire savvy customer.
[0026] A less complicated box 30 is shown wherein a single outer
cover 31 is used. The outer cover has two integral flaps 31, which
act as the tire restraining means. The flaps 31 when folded go
directly into the tire beads. This restrains the tire into the box.
The joined seam 33 can then be taped to secure the assembly. This
second embodiment of the invention is very simple, faster to
assemble and provides similar benefits as the first embodiment of
the invention describe previously.
[0027] With reference to FIGS. 8 through 12 a third embodiment of
the invention is illustrated. The unfolded box 40 is shown cut with
dashed lines showing the folds. As shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 as
the box is shaped two ends 44, 46 extend about one-half the length
of the box to create an open corner 45 exposing the tire 2. In this
embodiment a large portion of the tire appears exposed due to the
fact that the open corner 45 is continuous. Ends 47, 48 are
completely closed as shown.
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 13 through 30 a fourth embodiment of
the invention is represented. The tire box 50 has an outer cover 52
representing the sides. The outer cover 52 when folded is as shown
in FIGS. 14 and 15. The cover forms a sleeve that can slide over
the inner portion 52 of the box 80. The inner portion when folded
has flaps 61 that act as the tire restraining means. An opening 62
is cut into one side of the inner portion 54. The inner portion 54
as shown has interlocking ends 55 that fit together similar to a
puzzle. Once folded together the inner portion 54 appears as shown
in FIG. 19. The tire 2 is placed into the inner portion preferably
prior to interlocking the ends 55.
[0029] Once the inner portion 54 is assembled with the tire 2
inside, the outer cover 52 can be slid over the assembly. In this
embodiment 50 only one side of the tire 2 will be exposed when the
outer cover 52 is slid over the inner portion 54. The handle
opening 60 aligns with the opening 62.
[0030] Variations in the present invention are possible in light of
the description of it provided herein. While certain representative
embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of
illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparent to those
skilled in this art that various changes and modifications can be
made therein without departing from the scope of the subject
invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that changes can be
made in the particular embodiments described which will be within
the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the
following appended claims.
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