U.S. patent application number 10/569693 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-22 for sheet packaging apparatus.
Invention is credited to Shaun Burchell.
Application Number | 20070039848 10/569693 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34275066 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070039848 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burchell; Shaun |
February 22, 2007 |
Sheet packaging apparatus
Abstract
A first aspect of the invention concerns a corner packaging
device (14) which can be used in the packaging of a polygonal pack
(10) of stacked glass sheets. The device includes two identical
packaging members (12) each having a facing element (16) to lie
against an outer surface of the pack at a corner and a pair of
transverse flanges (22) meeting one another at a corner (24) of the
facing element so as in use to lie against adjacent edges of the
pack. There is a projection (28) lying generally in the plane of
each flange and extending beyond the inner edge (26) of the flange
and a recess (30) extending into the flange from that inner edge.
With this arrangement, the packaging members can be arranged with
their facing elements lying against opposite surfaces of the pack,
with their flanges extending towards one another and with the
projection of one flange extending over an edge of the pack to be
received slidably within the recess of the other flange over a
range of different pack thicknesses. Each flange also carries a
projecting sling attachment formation (44) beneath which a lifting
sling (46) can be engaged for the purposes of lifting the pack at
an upright attitude when the devices embrace the corners of the
pack and are anchored in position by straps (40, 42) encircling the
devices and the pack to hold the pack together. Other aspects of
the invention relate to a packaging system incorporating such
devices (14) and the individual packaging members (12).
Inventors: |
Burchell; Shaun; (Springs,
ZA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL & MELHORN
FOUR SEAGATE, EIGHT FLOOR
TOLEDO
OH
43604
US
|
Family ID: |
34275066 |
Appl. No.: |
10/569693 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
August 26, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB04/02766 |
371 Date: |
September 13, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/453 ;
206/583; 206/586 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/48 20130101;
B65D 2581/055 20130101; B65D 81/057 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/453 ;
206/583; 206/586 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/48 20060101
B65D085/48; B65D 85/30 20060101 B65D085/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 27, 2003 |
ZA |
2003/6677 |
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A corner packaging device for embracing a corner of a polygonal
pack of stacked glass sheets, the device comprising: two identical
packaging members each molded in one piece of a relatively rigid
plastics material and each having a facing element which can lie
parallel to an outer surface of the pack at a corner thereof and a
pair of flanges meeting one another at a corner of the facing
element and extending transverse to the facing element so as in use
to extend parallel to adjacent edges of the pack, each flange being
generally planar and having an edge remote from the facing element,
a projection lying generally in the plane of each flange and
projecting beyond an inner edge of the flange and a recess
extending into the flange from the inner edge, the width and depth
of the recess being greater than the width of the projection and
the distance by which the projection projects beyond the inner edge
of the flange, whereby the packaging members can be arranged with
their facing elements lying parallel to opposite surfaces of the
pack and with their flanges extending towards one another and with
the projection of one flange extending over an edge of the pack to
be received within the recess of the other flange over a range of
different pack thicknesses, and a sling attachment formation,
projecting transversely from each flange, beneath which a lifting
sling can be engaged for the purposes of lifting the pack at an
upright attitude when the corner packaging device is anchored in a
position embracing the corner of the pack.
18. A packaging device according to claim 17 and comprising a foot
formation, on which the pack can stand edgewise, projecting
transversely from each flange.
19. A packaging device according to claim 18 wherein the sling
attachment formation and the foot formation on each flange are
spaced apart from one another to provide a landing zone to receive
a strap used to encircle the pack and a pair of packaging devices
embracing adjacent corners of the pack.
20. A packaging device according to claim 19 wherein the sling
attachment formation and the foot formation project the same
distance from the flange on which they are provided.
21. A packaging device according to claim 20 wherein the sling and
foot formations are hollow and are reinforced internally.
22. A packaging device according to claim 17 comprising a pad for
location between the packaging members and the corner of the
pack.
23. A packaging device according to claim 22 wherein the pad is
shaped to embrace a corner of the pack with side and edge panels
arranged to extend, at the corner of the pack, over the sides and
edges respectively of the pack.
24. A packaging device according to claim 23 wherein internal
surfaces of the facing panels of the packaging members are
ribbed.
25. A packaging device according to claim 17 wherein the projection
and recess have tapered shapes.
26. A packaging system for a polygonal pack of glass sheets
arranged in a stack, the system comprising, for each corner of the
pack, a corner packaging device for embracing a corner of the pack,
the device comprising: two identical packaging members each molded
in one piece of a relatively rigid plastics material and each
having a facing element to lie against which can lie parallel to an
outer surface of the pack at a corner thereof and a pair of flanges
meeting one another at a corner of the facing element and extending
transverse to the facing element so as in use to extend parallel to
adjacent edges of the pack, each flange being generally planar and
having an edge remote from the facing element, a projection lying
generally in the plane of each flange and projecting beyond an
inner edge of the flange and a recess extending into the flange
from the inner edge, the width and depth of the recess being
greater than the width of the projection and the distance by which
the projection projects beyond the inner edge of the flange,
whereby the packaging members can be arranged with their facing
elements lying parallel to opposite surfaces of the pack and with
their flanges extending towards one another and with the projection
of one flange extending over an edge of the pack to be received
within the recess of the other flange over a range of different
pack thicknesses, and a sling attachment formation, projecting
transversely from each flange, beneath which a lifting sling can be
engaged for the purposes of lifting the pack at an upright attitude
when the corner packaging device is anchored in a position
embracing the corner of the pack; and straps which can be arranged
to pass around the devices and encircle the pack to hold the glass
sheets together.
27. A packaging system according to claim 26 which includes edge
protectors for embracing edges of the pack between the corners
thereof, and further straps passing around the edge protectors and
encircling the pack.
28. A packaging system according to claim 27 wherein each edge
protector has the cross-section of a shallow channel.
29. A packaging member for use in a corner packaging device for
embracing a corner of a polygonal pack of stacked glass sheets, the
packaging member being molded in one piece of a rigid plastics
material and comprising: a facing element which can lie parallel to
an outer surface of the pack at a corner thereof and a pair of
flanges meeting one another at a corner of the facing element and
extending transverse to the facing element so as in use to extend
parallel to adjacent edges of the pack, each flange being generally
planar and having an edge remote from the facing element, a
projection lying generally in the plane of each flange and
projecting beyond an inner edge of the flange and a recess
extending into the flange from the inner edge, the width and depth
of the recess being greater than the width of the projection and
the distance by which the projection projects beyond the inner edge
of the flange, whereby opposing, identical packaging members can be
arranged with their facing elements lying parallel to opposite
surfaces of the pack and with their flanges extending towards one
another and with the projection of one flange extending over an
edge of the pack to be received within the recess of the other
flange over a range of different pack thicknesses, and a sling
attachment formation, projecting transversely from each flange,
beneath which a lifting sling can be engaged for the purposes of
lifting the pack at an upright attitude when the packaging member
is anchored in a position embracing a corner of the pack.
30. A packaging member according to claim 29 comprising a foot
formation, on which the pack can stand edgewise, projecting
transversely from each flange.
31. A packaging member according to claim 27 wherein the sling
attachment formation and the foot formation on each flange are
spaced apart from one another to provide a landing zone to receive
a strap used to encircle the pack and a pair of packaging devices
embracing adjacent corners of the pack.
32. A packaging member according to claim 31 wherein the sling
attachment formation and the foot formation project the same
distance from the flange on which they are provided.
33. A packaging member according to claim 32 wherein the sling and
foot formations are hollow and are reinforced internally.
34. A packaging member according to claim 29 wherein the projection
and recess have tapered shapes.
35. A package of rectangular glass sheets, the glass sheets being
stacked alongside one another in a rectangular pack, the package
including: a corner packaging device at each corner of the pack,
the corner packaging device comprising: two opposing, identical
packaging members each molded in one piece of a relatively rigid
plastics material and each having a facing element lying parallel
to an outer surface of the pack at the corner and a pair of flanges
meeting one another at a corner of the facing element and extending
transverse to the facing element so as extend parallel to adjacent
edges of the pack, each flange being generally planar and having an
edge remote from the facing element, a projection lying generally
in the plane of each flange and projecting beyond an inner edge of
the flange and a recess extending into the flange from the inner
edge, the width and depth of the recess being greater than the
width of the projection and the distance by which the projection
projects beyond the inner edge of the flange, whereby the packaging
members are arranged with their facing elements lying parallel to
opposite surfaces of the pack and with their flanges extending
towards one another and with the projection of one flange extending
over an edge of the pack and into the recess of the other flange,
and a sling attachment formation, projecting transversely from each
flange, beneath which a lifting sling can be engaged for the
purposes of lifting the pack at an upright attitude, and straps
encircling the pack and the packaging devices to hold the pack
together.
Description
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0001] THIS invention relates to sheet packaging apparatus.
[0002] In one application, the apparatus of the invention is
specifically designed for use in the packaging of glass sheets
arranged in a stack. For many years, packs of stacked glass sheets
were packaged in timber frames, but in more recent times this type
of packaging has been rejected in view of environmental
considerations.
[0003] One packaging system which could be used in place of
conventional timber packaging systems is described in ZA 2000/0364.
This system makes use of moulded plastic corner packaging elements
arranged to embrace the corners of the stack. However, while this
proposal can be used to good effect in the packaging of a pack of
glass sheets of known and constant thickness, it lacks the
versatility to be used with packs of different thickness.
[0004] Another proposal is the so-called U-pack system described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,354. This proposal makes use of corner members
which embrace opposite sides of the corners of the pack and has the
versatility to deal with packs of varying thickness by virtue of
connecting members which interconnect the corner members. Although
versatile, this proposal has the disadvantage that the packaging of
each corner of the pack requires three separate components.
Furthermore, it is necessary to cut the connecting members to
exactly the right length if the resulting assembly is to embrace
the corner of the pack in a suitably snug manner. In practice, it
has been found that it is difficult to cut the connecting members
sufficiently accurately.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the invention there is provided a corner
packaging device for embracing a corner of a polygonal pack of
stacked glass sheets, the device comprising: [0006] two identical
packaging members each having a facing element to lie against an
outer surface of the pack at a corner thereof and a pair of flanges
meeting one another at a corner of the facing element and extending
transverse to the facing element so as in use to lie against
adjacent edges of the pack, each flange being generally planar and
having an edge remote from the facing element, [0007] a projection
lying generally in the plane of each flange and extending beyond
the inner edge of the flange and a corresponding recess extending
into the flange from the inner edge, whereby the packaging members
can be arranged with their facing elements lying against opposite
surfaces of the pack and with their flanges extending towards one
another and with the projection of one flange extending over an
edge of the pack to be received slidably within the recess of the
other flange over a range of different pack thicknesses, and [0008]
a sling attachment formation, projecting transversely from the
plane of each flange, beneath which a lifting sling can be engaged
for the purposes of lifting the pack at an upright attitude when
corner packaging devices embrace the corners of the pack and are
anchored in position by straps encircling the devices and the pack
to hold the pack together.
[0009] In the preferred embodiment the device also includes foot
formations, on which the pack can stand edgewise, projecting
transversely from the plane of each flange.
[0010] Further according to the invention there is provided a
packaging system for a polygonal pack of glass sheets arranged in a
stack, the system comprising, for each corner of the pack, a device
as summarized above, and straps passing around the devices and
encircling the pack to hold the glass sheets together.
[0011] Still further according to the invention there is provided
an individual packaging member for use in the packaging device and
system.
[0012] Other features of the invention are described below and set
forth in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way
of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a glass sheet packaging
system according to this invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a side elevation of the system seen in FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the system seen in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 shows an end view of the system seen in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows an interior side view of one packaging member
of a corner packaging device according to the invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 shows an exterior side view of the same packaging
member;
[0020] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the same packaging
member;
[0021] FIG. 8 shows how two identical packaging members are mated
with one to embrace a corner;
[0022] FIG. 9 shows a modified glass sheet packaging system
according to the invention;
[0023] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an edge protector used
in the packaging system of FIG. 9;
[0024] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a corner pad which can
be used in the packaging system of the invention; and
[0025] FIG. 12 illustrates the use of the corner pad of FIG.
11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] As described hereunder the invention is concerned with the
packaging of a stack of glass sheets arranged in a polygonal, in
this case rectangular, pack 10.
[0027] Reference is made firstly to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 which
illustrate a single packaging member 12 of a corner packaging
device 14, one such corner packaging device 14 being provided for
each corner of the pack 10. The packaging member 12 is moulded in
one piece of a suitably robust plastics material and includes a
generally triangular facing element 16 having a ribbed inner
surface 18 and a flat outer surface 20. The member 12 also includes
a pair of generally planar flanges 22 which meet one another at a
corner 24 of the facing element and which extend transversely to
the facing element.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 8, each flange has an inner edge 26.
Extending beyond this edge, in the plane of the flange, is a
projection 28. Spaced from the projection 28 is a recess 30 which
extends into the flange from the inner edge 26. The overall width
and depth of the recess 30 are very slightly greater than the
overall width of the projection 28 and the distance by which it
projects from the edge 26.
[0029] It will be understood that the shape of packaging member 12
is such that it can be positioned with the inner surface 18 of the
facing element 16 against the surface of the pack 10 at a corner of
the pack and with the flanges 22 extending along the side edges of
the pack in the corner region.
[0030] FIG. 8 shows how two of the packaging members 12 can be
arranged in opposition to one another with the projections 28
aligned with the recesses 30. It will furthermore be understood
that with the members 12 aligned in this way, they can be moved
towards one another for the projections 28 to enter and slide into
the recesses 30. In practice, a pair of members 12 are brought
together in this way to form the packaging devices 14 at each
corner of the pack 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.
[0031] With the packaging devices 14 embracing the corners of the
pack 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, straps 40 and 42 are arranged to
pass over and around the devices, encircling the pack, and are
appropriately tensioned to hold the stack of glass sheets together
in the pack. Any suitable form of strap, such as conventional steel
packaging straps, may be used for this purpose.
[0032] Prior to placement and tensioning of the straps, the
packaging members 12 of each packaging device 14 are capable of
moving towards or apart from one another as required to accommodate
the thickness of the pack 10.
[0033] It will be understood that over a range of pack thicknesses,
the projections 28 will always be at least partially received in
opposed recesses 30. Thus it will be understood that within this
range of thicknesses the flanges, together with the projections 28,
will always form a bridge between the opposing packaging members
12, and will accordingly extend over even those glass sheets
located centrally in the pack 10. This is considered to be an
important advantage of the illustrated embodiment, in that even the
central glass sheets are prevented, in the assembled package, from
slipping laterally out of the stack.
[0034] Projecting transversely from the plane of each flange 22 is
a sling attachment formation 44 shaped as illustrated. During
transportation and handling, the pack 10 will generally be at an
upright attitude as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The pack in this
orientation can be lifted, by means of suitable lifting apparatus
such as an overhead crane or winch, via slings 46 hooked beneath
the formations 44 as indicated in broken outline in FIG. 2.
[0035] In addition to the sling attachment formations 44, foot
formations 48 also project from the general plane of each flange
22. As will be apparent from FIG. 2, the pack 10 can stand upright
on the foot formations 48 on a flat surface 50. In practice, the
sling attachment formations may project the same distance from the
flanges 22 as the foot formations, and are therefore also able to
act as feet on which the pack can stand at an upright orientation.
The ability of the pack to stand on both the sling and foot
formations will enhance the stability of the pack when arranged on
edge.
[0036] Because the packaging members 12, and hence the packaging
devices 14, are identical to one another, sling attachment
formations and foot formations are present at all four corners and
along each edge of the pack. It is accordingly possible for the
pack 10 to stand on an end edge as opposed to a side edge as
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0037] It will be noted that the sling and foot formations 44, 48
are spaced apart from one another on each flange of the packaging
member to provide a secure landing zone for the straps 42. It will
be understood that with the straps 42 are unable to slip laterally
out of the landing zone once they are properly tensioned.
[0038] It will also be noted from FIG. 5 hat the sling and foot
formations are hollow but are reinforced internally by webs. In
this way, the overall mass of plastic material used in the moulding
of a packing member 12 can be reduced.
[0039] In the packaging system illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the
glass sheets are held together at their comers only. During
transportation and handling at an upright orientation, this could
conceivably give rise to a tendency for the outer sheets in the
pack to bow outwardly, leading to the possibility of cracking of
those sheets. To avoid this, the invention proposes a slightly
modified packaging system as illustrated in FIG. 9. Here, a moulded
plastics edge protector 52, illustrated in FIG. 10, is arranged to
embrace each of the four edges of the pack, at positions midway
between the corners. Further straps 54 are then arranged to pass
over the edge protectors, encircling the stack, to provide
restraint to at the centre of the pack, thereby preventing outward
bowing of the outer glass sheets in the central area.
[0040] Although shown as a U-shaped moulding in FIG. 10, the edge
protectors could be provided by straight strips, having the same
cross-section but being sufficiently flexible to be bent around and
embrace the edge of the pack at the required positions.
[0041] The ribbed internal surfaces of the facing elements 16 will
in certain circumstances promote a good grip on the corner surfaces
of the pack 10. However it is recognised that the plastic material
of which the packaging members 12 are made will generally be
relatively hard and rigid. This gives rise to the possibility of
cracking of the glass sheets if the packaging members are pressed
too hard against the glass. For this reason it is considered
desirable at least in some cases to provide each packaging device
14 with relatively resilient padding between the packaging members
and the glass itself. FIG. 11 shows a corner pad for this
purpose.
[0042] The corner pad 60 seen in FIG. 11 is made of a low density
polyethylene with a degree of resilience and includes side panels
62 and edge panels 64 defining an open corner 66. The clear spacing
between the side panels 62 is selected to be slightly greater than
the maximum expected thickness of the pack 10 of stacked glass
sheets. This allows a pad 60 to be fitted over each corner of the
pack as illustrated in FIG. 12, with the corner of the pack
projecting through the opening 66, whereafter a corner packaging
device 14 as described above can be assembled over the pad. For
ease of illustration, FIG. 12 shows only one packaging member 12 of
the packaging device in position. The resilience of the pad is such
that it can deform as necessary when the device 14 is assembled and
the straps 40 and 42 are tensioned, for instance by crumpling up on
itself, if the pack 10 should have a thickness less than the clear
spacing between the side panels 62. Once installed the pad acts as
a cushion to prevent direct contact between the packaging member 12
and the glass sheets and accordingly to reduce the potential damage
to the glass sheets by those members.
* * * * *