U.S. patent application number 10/631902 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-03 for reusable product packaging.
Invention is credited to Parsadayan, Walter.
Application Number | 20050023169 10/631902 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32927920 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050023169 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parsadayan, Walter |
February 3, 2005 |
Reusable product packaging
Abstract
A reusable shipping container for the transport of heavy and/or
bulky objects is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the
reusable-shipping container the carrying base of the container is
made of a strong durable plastic like material. The reusable
shipping container includes a cover made of a lightweight flexible
material that is connected to the base in a detachable but secure
fashion by securing mechanisms. In a preferred embodiment the
securing mechanism can be a quick releasable clip type mechanism or
a twist lock mechanism.
Inventors: |
Parsadayan, Walter; (Lake
Forest, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Levin Intellectual Property Group
Ste. 13
384 Forest Ave.
Laguna Beach
CA
92651
US
|
Family ID: |
32927920 |
Appl. No.: |
10/631902 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/386 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 19/385 20130101;
B65D 19/44 20130101; Y02W 30/80 20150501; Y02W 30/807 20150501 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/386 |
International
Class: |
B65D 019/00 |
Claims
I Claim:
1. A reusable shipping container for the transportation of objects
comprising: a base carrier made of a strong, shock resistant,
durable lightweight material capable of carrying substantial loads;
said carrier having at least one securing position on an outside
peripheral side of said base carrier and at least one object
securing position on a top of said base carrier to securely but
detachably connect at least one object to the top of said base; a
light weight collapsible cover with at least one connection point
designed to mate to said at least one securing position on said
base carrier; and at least one securing mechanism to detachably but
securely connect said at least one connection point on said cover
to said at least one securing position on said base carrier.
2. The shipping container of claim 1 wherein said at least one
securing mechanism is at least one quick release clip that thereby
detachably but securely connects said one securing position to said
at least one connection point.
3. The shipping container of claim 1 wherein said at least one
securing mechanism is at least one twist lock mechanism that
thereby detachably but securely connects said one securing position
to said at least one connection point.
4. The shipping container of claim 1 wherein said securing position
is formed by at least one rigid wall member that projects up from
said base with an opening in said rigid wall member and said
connection point on said cover is at least one opening on a side of
said cover and when said cover is placed on said base said one
opening on said rigid wall member is congruent with said at least
one opening on said cover to thereby allow said at least one
securing member to be inserted through said congruent openings and
thereby securely but detachably connect said cover to said
base.
5. The shipping container of claim 4 wherein said at least one
rigid wall member is a first and second rigid wall members with
openings, said first and second wall being positioned on opposite
facing sides of said base, said at least one opening on a side of
said cover being a first and second opening on opposite facing
sides of said cover and positioned such that when said cover is
placed on said base said opening in said first wall member becomes
congruent with said first opening in said cover to form a first
congruent aperture, and said opening in said second rigid wall
becomes congruent with said second opening is said cover to form a
second aperture, and said at least one securing member is a first
and second securing member that can be respectively inserted
through said first and second congruent apertures.
6. The shipping container of claim 1 wherein said at least one
securing position is formed by at least one pivoting member of said
base, which at least one pivoting member has an opening in it and
said at least one connection point on said cover is at least
opening on a side of said cover and wherein when said cover is
placed on said base said at least one pivoting member can be
pivoted into a position wherein said at least one opening on said
pivoting member is congruent with said at least one opening in said
cover and wherein said at least one securing mechanism can be
inserted through sand congruent openings to securely but detachably
hold said at least one pivoting member in contact with said
cover.
7. The shipping container of claim 6 wherein said at least one
pivoting member is four pivoting members, and said at least one
opening in said cover is four openings in said cover, and said
securing mechanism is four securing mechanisms and wherein said
four pivoting members and said four openings in said cover are
positioned such that upon placing said cover on said base each of
said pivoting members can be pivoted up to form by said opening in
said pivoting member a congruent aperture with one of the openings
in said cover through which one of the securing members can be
inserted to thereby form a secure but detachable connection between
said cover and said base.
8. The shipping container of claim 1 wherein said base carrier is
made of one of the materials selected from the following group:
polyurethane, polyelethaline and polypropylene.
9. The shipping container of claim 1 wherein said top of said base
carrier is molded into a predetermined form to accept and securely
hold a predetermined object.
10. The shipping container of claim 1 wherein said base carrier can
support an object of several hundred pounds.
11. The shipping container of claim 1 wherein said at least one
securing mechanism is permanently connected to said base at said at
least one securing position and can detachably connect said base to
said cover at said at least one connection point.
12. The shipping container of claim 1 wherein said at least one
securing mechanism is permanently connected to said cover at said
at least one connection point and can detachably connect said cover
to said base at said at least one securing position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to shipping containers more
particularly it relates to shipping containers designed for
multiple reuses with heavy or bulky objects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Shipping containers used for bulky or heavy objects in
common use tend to be made of wooden pallets with some type of
covering made of wood or cardboard. Use of this packaging requires
a significant expenditure of time and effort to prepare it for use.
The object to be shipped has to be secured to the pallet by some
means, usually metal or fabric straps and the pallet encased with a
cover. Attaching the cover usually entails the taping of the cover
to the pallet if it is cardboard or nailing it if it is wood.
Additionally, if the bulky or heavy object has to be reshipped the
whole process of repackaging is repeated. This can often happen
when a manufacturer or distributor sends to a customer a
replacement part, such as a heavy electrical motor and the customer
has to return the motor for exchange, repair or refurbishing. If
the motor has been returned for repair or refurbishing once the
customer receives the repaired or refurbished motor they have to
return the one loaned to them for use while theirs is being
repaired. Thus, this might require multiple reuses of the same
packaging. Often the packaging may be damaged or destroyed due to
its multiple reuse by the act of opening and repackaging.
[0003] Reusable shipping packaging is well known in the shipping
industry. Often such reusable packaging is made of cardboard
enclosures used in conjunction with foam forms, large Styrofoam or
cardboard braces. However, this packaging is generally only useable
with objects of light to moderate weight. As soon as the object to
be shipped exceeds several pounds cardboard is not strong enough in
and of itself to provide the necessary strong packaging. Also,
cardboard has a limited useful life depending on how it is used and
how frequently it is used.
[0004] There are a number of containers disclosed that attempt to
provide an adequate reusable container for bulky or heavy objects.
However, most tend to rely on collapsible wooden containers. While
these collapsible containers may solve some of the durability or
strength problems they still tend to be cumbersome and time
consuming to erect and prepare for use and pack as well as unpack
and disassemble.
[0005] Thus, what is needed is reusable product packaging that can
easily and quickly be assembled and packed. Product packaging that
can also be easily and quickly unpacked and repacked as necessary.
The product packaging also must be resistent to possible damage
during the packing and unpacking steps when used multiple
times.
SUMMARY
[0006] Thus, it is an objective of the present invention to provide
a durable and economical reusable-shipping container that is easy
and efficient to use. It is a further objective to provide a
reusable-shipping container that can be used with bulky or heavy
objects.
[0007] The present invention accomplishes these and other
objectives by providing: a reusable shipping container for the
transportation of objects that includes: a base carrier made of a
strong, shock resistant, durable lightweight material capable of
carrying substantial loads; the carrier having at least one
securing position on an outside peripheral side of the base carrier
and at least one object securing position on a top of the base
carrier to securely but detachably connect at least one object to
the top of the base; a light weight collapsible cover with at least
one connection point designed to mate to the at least one securing
position on the base carrier; and at least one securing mechanism
to detachably but securely connect the at least one connection
point on the cover to the at least one securing position on the
base carrier.
[0008] In an additional aspect of the present invention the
securing mechanism can be a removable clipping mechanism or a twist
lock mechanism. In yet another aspect of the present invention the
base can be made of a hard durable plastic like material such as
polyurethane, polyelethaline, polypropylene or similar
materials.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will be better understood by an examination of
the following description, together with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a base of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the product packaging of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cover of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a securing clip
inserted through aligned holes in a flap and cover and holding them
together;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of a first version of the securing
clip in the closed or locked position;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a front raised view of a first version of the
securing clip;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side view a securing clip in an open or unlocked
position;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a second version of the base of the present
invention with an object to be transported on the base;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a view of the base depicted in FIG. 8 with a cover
placed on the base;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a side view along a long edge of another version
of the securing mechanism;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a side view of the securing mechanism of FIG. 10
taken along a short edge;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the securing mechanism of
FIG. 10 in an unlocked configuration;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the securing mechanism of
FIG. 10 in a locked configuration;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a view of a portion of the cover and base of the
present invention with a securing mechanism in the unlocked
position and placed in an aperture formed by openings in the base
and cover;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a view of a portion of the cover and base of the
present invention with a securing mechanism in the locked position
in an aperture formed by openings in the base and cover; and
[0025] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view along line 16 in FIG.
15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] The invention provides reusable product packaging that can
be used to ship products, such as electrical motors, gear systems,
or similar heavy or bulky objects. The package can be easily opened
up and then easily re-closed and reshipped if necessary without the
need to replace the packaging or spend excess time repackaging the
object being shipped.
[0027] The package or shipping container of the present invention
consists of a base 21 (FIG. 1), made in its preferred embodiment of
a solid but flexible rigid plastic like material and a thin
flexible and lightweight cover 22 (FIG. 2). The product such as
apiece of equipment (not shown) would sit on top of base 21 and
might be secured to it by straps or other connecting mechanism (not
shown). To secure cover 22 to base 21, flaps 25, which can be
pivoted up and down, are connected to the sides of cover 22 by
clips or securing knobs 27 that fit in through holes 33 of cover 22
and holes 29 in flaps 25 when they are aligned. In a variation of
the invention to be discussed below the securing mechanism can be
permanently affixed to the either the base or cover to facilitate
use. Cover 22 (FIG. 3) has holes 31 that mate with holes 29 of
flaps 25 through which securing clip 27 fits. FIG. 4 is a side
profile view of one embodiment of the securing clip 27 inserted
through hole 31 of cover 22 and hole 29 of flap 25 when they have
been aligned. Securing clip or knob 27 holds flap 25 securely to a
wall of cover 22. The whole system can be reused multiple
times.
[0028] FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 depict in detail one embodiment of the
securing clip mentioned above. FIG. 5 provides a side cross
sectional view of the securing clip holding the cover and base
together. In FIG. 5 number 33 identifies the securing clip. As can
be seen clip 33 holds flap 25 securely but detachably to a sidewall
of cover 22. FIG. 6 is a front view of securing clip 33. To open
securing clip 33 to insert it into or remove it from opening 31 of
cover 22 and opening 29 of flap 25 when they are aligned, you grasp
wall assembly 41A and 41B of securing clip 33 and squeeze them
together. While squeezing wall assembly 41A and 41B together the
wall assembly is pulled forward causing a latching mechanism at 47A
and 47B to disengage. Upon pulling wall assembly 41A and 41B
forward flange 51A swings down and flange 51B swing up as depicted
in FIG. 7, which allows securing clip 33 to either be inserted into
or removed from its position, in openings 29 and 33 holding flap 25
and the sidewall of cover 22.
[0029] When cover 22 is placed on base 21 and flaps 25 are pivoted
up against cover 22 opening 29 and opening 33 are congruent and
thus allow for the insertion of securing clip 33 through the
congruent or aligned openings. This, naturally, securely but
detachably holds cover 22 to base 21.
[0030] FIG. 8 provides an example of another preferred embodiment
of the present invention in which base 61 has two rigid sidewalls
63A and 63B. Additionally, the top 65 of base 61 has a molded form
64 to accept and hold an object of a specific shape, such as motor
67. Additionally, straps 68A and 68B attach to base 61 and can be
easily fastened around motor 67 to prepare it for shipping. In FIG.
8 openings 70A and 70B located respectively on rigid sidewalls 63A
and 63B are oblong to accept a second type of securing device to be
discussed below. FIG. 9 shows the base of FIG. 8 with a cover 71
placed over the base with motor 67 secured to it. Motor 67, straps
68A and 68B, and rigid wall members 63A and 63B being depicted in a
dotted line format to indicate their location under cover 71. Cover
71 also has its own openings 73A and 73B which when cover 71 is
placed over base 61 are congruent with holes 70A and 70B of the
base on thus form an opening or aperture. In the version depicted
in FIG. 9 rigid wall members 63A and 63B fit inside of cover 61.
However, rigid wall member's 63A and 63B could just as easily fit
on the outside of cover 61.
[0031] The carrying base of the present invention in the preferred
embodiment is made out of polyurethane, polyelethaline,
polypropylene or a similar plastic type of material. These are all
materials that can provide a strong, rugged and durable base that
can withstand multiple uses. These materials can be easily molded
into the appropriate shape for the intended use. Thus, when these
materials are used the top of the base can be molded into a form to
accept a specific object. For instance if a company manufactures or
uses heavy electrical motors, gear systems or the like a special
base can be made for reusable packaging to ship the product to the
customer and have the customer easily return it for servicing,
replacement etc. The top of base can easily be configured to for
use with various types of object securing devices to hold the
object securely to the base during shipping. The example of an
object securing mechanism shown in FIG. 8 of straps 68A and 68B is
only one possibility. Clips or some other releasable locking
mechanism can be used to securely hold the object to the base
during shipping. The base can also be made with handles or other
structures to facilitate movement of the shipping package once the
object to be transported is attached to the base. Base 61 has an
example of a handling device, a handle 72. The handle could be
formed from the material making up the base by including it in the
mold designed to make the base. Alternatively, it could be a
separate structure attached in a secure fashion to the base.
[0032] The cover 71 in FIG. 9 and 22 of FIGS. 2 and 3 in the
preferred embodiment is made out of a thin flexible lightweight
material. This material typically can be cardboard or plastic sheet
like material. The cover can be made to in a foldable collapsible
form to allow it to be folded up and stored when not in use. The
cover if necessary can also be made of sheet metal if an
application requires it.
[0033] FIGS. 10 to 15 depict another version of the securing
mechanism of the present invention. The version of securing
mechanism 81 depicted in FIG. 10 is an oblong twist locking
mechanism. In FIG. 10, a view of the long side of the twist lock
mechanism 81, the two-part structure of twist lock mechanism 81 is
apparent. Twist lock mechanism 81 has an outer structure 83 with
two facing plates 86 and 87 that are connected by shaft 88 that
have sandwiched between them inner plate 89. Inner plate 89 is not
attached to outer structure 83 and shaft 88 passes through a hole
in the center of plate 89. Outer structure 83 has a knob 91 located
on plate 86 that allows for the rotation of structure 83 without
moving plate 89. FIG. 11 is view of short side of twist lock
mechanism 81.
[0034] FIGS. 12 depicts twist lock mechanism 81 in the unlocked
position and FIG. 13 depicts twist lock mechanism 81 in the locked
position. As can be seen in the unlocked position plate 89 is flush
with the two plates 86 and 87 of structure 83. In FIG. 13 the
locking position plate 89 has been rotated to a position where the
long dimension of plate 89 is at about 90 degrees to long dimension
of structure 83 and its plates 86 and 87. By manipulating knob 91,
structure 83 can be pivoted about shaft 88 (FIGS. 10 and 11) to
move between the configurations shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.
[0035] FIGS. 14 and 15 depict actual use of twist lock mechanism 81
with base 61 and cover 71. FIGS. 14 and 15 depict a portion of the
side of cover 71 and base 61 from FIG. 9 where opening 70A of rigid
wall member 63A and opening 73A of cover 71 are congruent and form
a common aperture 101. Twist lock mechanism 81 in FIG. 14 in the
unlocked position has an oblong shape, oval in the version shown,
that allows it to fit into oblong aperture 101 formed by congruent
openings 70A and 73A. Once twist lock mechanism has been inserted
into aperture 101 knob 91 can allow for rotation of structure 83.
In FIG. 15 structure 83 has been rotated and while aperture 101
holds plate 89, plate structure 83 has rotated to the locked
position. As structure 83 rotates plates 86 and 87 sandwich between
them a portion of the joined cover 71 and base 61 to thereby form a
secure but detachable connection of cover 71 to base 61. FIG. 16 is
a cross-sectional view of twist lock mechanism 81 in the locked
position in FIG. 15. As can been seen plate 89 is held in place by
aperture 101 and plates 86 and 87 sandwich part of cover 71 and
base 61 to form the releasable closure.
[0036] In another variation of the invention the twist lock
mechanism 81 can be permanently attached to the cover 71 at plate
86. Alternatively, the twist lock mechanism can be attached to the
base flap 61 at plate 87. Thus, by attaching the connection and
securing mechanism twist lock mechanism 81 to the cover or the base
in a permanent manner facilitates use of the package system in that
the connection mechanism will not be misplaced and lost and always
available for use. The twist lock mechanisms can be attached
permanently to either the base flaps or cover flaps in a variety of
different ways and still accomplish the objectives of the present
invention. In embodiment of this variation of the invention plate
89 can be permanently affixed to either the cover or the base.
[0037] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
form and detail may be made to it without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention.
* * * * *