U.S. patent application number 11/763685 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for packaging having protective materials incorporated therein.
Invention is credited to Kapoor Chandaria.
Application Number | 20080191001 11/763685 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39678568 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080191001 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chandaria; Kapoor |
August 14, 2008 |
PACKAGING HAVING PROTECTIVE MATERIALS INCORPORATED THEREIN
Abstract
A packaging article for protectively storing perishable paper
products that includes protective materials that protect the
packaging article and its contents from any of a number of threats
including water damage, fire damage, mold, insects, bacteria, fungi
and theft. The packaging article comprises a bottom wall, side
walls and a closure that surround and define an interior cavity in
which the paper products are stored or transported. Each of the
bottom wall, side walls and closure are made from a plurality of
layers. Protective materials are applied to one or more of the
bottom wall, side walls and closures by either impregnating a paper
or cardboard with a suitable chemical, applying a film thereover,
spraying a coating thereover or sandwiching the protective material
between two adjacent layers. Suitable chemicals that produce the
desired properties include, but are not limited to wax, oil,
plastic, polybrominated diphenyl ether, polybrominated biphenyl,
brominated cyclohydrocarbons, boric acid and hydrogen peroxide. A
radio frequency identification tag may also be received within the
wall of the packaging article to protect the same against
theft.
Inventors: |
Chandaria; Kapoor; (Nairobi,
KE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAND & SEBOLT
AEGIS TOWER, SUITE 1100, 4940 MUNSON STREET, NW
CANTON
OH
44718-3615
US
|
Family ID: |
39678568 |
Appl. No.: |
11/763685 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11703966 |
Feb 8, 2007 |
|
|
|
11763685 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 31/02 20130101;
B65D 33/18 20130101; B65D 5/62 20130101; B32B 3/28 20130101; B65D
2203/10 20130101; B65D 2213/00 20130101; B65D 5/563 20130101; B65D
2211/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/100 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/00 20060101
B65D005/00 |
Claims
1. A packaging article for protectively storing and shipping
perishable paper products, wherein said packaging article
comprises: a bottom wall; a plurality of side walls extending
upwardly away from the bottom wall to surround and define an
interior cavity; said cavity being adapted to retain the paper
products therein; a closure receivable over an upper end of the
side walls to close off said interior cavity; a protective material
applied to one or more of said bottom wall, side walls and closure
to protect the same from one or more threats selected from the
group consisting of fire, water, insects, mold, fungi, bacteria and
theft.
2. The packaging article as defined in claim 1 wherein the
protective material is applied as a film over the one or more of
said bottom wall, side walls and lid.
3. The packaging article as defined in claim 1, in which the
protective material is sprayed over the one or more of said bottom
wall, side walls and lid.
4. The packaging article as defined in claim 1, in which the
protective material is sandwiched within the one or more of said
bottom wall, side walls and lid.
5. The packaging article as defined in claim 1, in which the
protective material is one or more of a wax, an oil, a plastic,
aluminum hydroxide, diammonium phosphate, polybrominated diphenyl
ether, polybrominated biphenyl, brominated cyclohydrocarbons, boric
acid hydrogen peroxide and a radio frequency identification
tag.
6. The packaging article as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the
bottom wall, side walls and closure of the box includes at least: a
first planar layer; a second layer; said second layer being one of
corrugated and blistered; and a third planar layer; said third
planar layer being applied to one of the first and second layers;
and wherein the protective material is applied to one or more of
the first, second and third layers.
7. The packaging article as defined in claim 6, wherein the
protective material is impregnated into one or more of the first,
second and third layers.
8. The packaging article as defined in claim 6, wherein the
protective material is applied as a film over one or both of the
first and third layers.
9. The packaging article as defined in claim 6, wherein the
protective material is sprayed over one or both of the first and
third layers.
10. The packaging articles defined in claim 9, wherein the
protective layer is sprayed in one of a powder form and a liquid
form over the one or both of the first and third layers.
11. The packaging article as defined in claim 6, wherein the
protective material is sandwiched between an adjacent two of the
first, second and third layers.
12. The packaging article is defined in claim 6, wherein the
protective material comprises: a first component that protects the
packaged article against a first threat.
13. The packaging article as defined in claim 12, wherein the first
threat is one of water damage, fire damage, mold, insects,
bacteria, fungi and theft.
14. The packaging article as defined in claim 12, wherein the
protective material further comprises: a second component that
protects the box against a second threat.
15. The packaging article as defined in claim 14, wherein the
second threat is a different one of water damage, fire damage,
mold, insects, bacteria, fungi and theft.
16. The packaging article as defined in claim 14, wherein the
protective material further comprises: a third component that
protects the box against a third threat.
17. The packaging article as defined in claim 16, wherein the third
threat is a further different one of water damage, fire damage,
mold, insects, bacteria, fungi and theft.
18. The packaging article as defined in claim 16, wherein the
protective material further comprises: a fourth component that
protects the box against a fourth threat.
19. The packaging article as defined claim 18, wherein the fourth
threat is the last different one of water damage, fire damage,
mold, insects, bacteria, fungi and theft.
20. The packaging article as defined in claim 18, wherein each of
the first, second, third and fourth components are selected from
the group consisting of a wax, an oil, a plastic, aluminum
hydroxide, diammonium phosphate, polybrominated diphenyl ether,
polybrominated biphenyl, brominated cyclohydrocarbons, boric acid,
hydrogen peroxide and a radio frequency identification tag.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/703,966, filed Feb. 8, 2007, the entire
specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention generally relates to storage and
transportation materials. More particularly, the invention relates
to mailing and storage boxes and envelopes. Specifically, the
invention relates to boxes and envelopes that are made of a
plurality of different layers that have protective materials
incorporated therein or applied thereto to protect the article from
a variety of different threats.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] Offices and individuals frequently need to store materials
such as files and papers for long periods of time. Typically, these
materials are placed in some sort of storage box for safekeeping.
These boxes may take a variety of forms including plastic tubs or
corrugated cardboard boxes with lids. Plastic tubs are convenient
and protect the materials stored therein from dangers such as
liquid exposure, but can be relatively expensive if large volumes
of materials need to be stored. Cardboard boxes on the other hand
are inexpensive and convenient, but they are vulnerable to dangers
such as water damage, fire, insects and mold.
[0004] There is therefore a need in the art for an improved
corrugated cardboard box that is less vulnerable to threats that
may damage the contents of the box.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The device of the present invention comprises a packaging
article for protectively storing perishable paper products that
includes protective materials that protect the packaging article
and its contents from any of a number of threats including water
damage, fire damage, mold, insects, bacteria, fungi and theft. The
packaging article comprises a bottom wall, side walls and a closure
that surround and define an interior cavity in which the paper
products are stored or transported. Each of the bottom wall, side
walls and closure are made from a plurality of layers. Protective
materials are applied to one or more of the bottom wall, side walls
and closures by impregnating a paper or cardboard layer with a
suitable chemical, applying a film thereover, spraying a coating
thereover or sandwiching the protective material between two
adjacent layers. Suitable chemicals that produce the desired
properties include, but are not limited to wax, oil, plastic,
polybrominated diphenyl ether, polybrominated biphenyl, brominated
cyclohydrocarbons, boric acid and hydrogen peroxide. A radio
frequency identification tag may also be received within the wall
of the packaging article to protect the same against theft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of
the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the
principles, are set forth in the following description and are
shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed
out and set forth in the appended claims.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a corrugated cardboard box
known in the prior art;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional top view through line 2-2 of
FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a corrugated cardboard box
in accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of a first embodiment
of a side wall taken through line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
[0011] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional, top view of a second
embodiment of the side wall of the storage box of FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional top view of a third embodiment
of the side wall of the storage box of FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional top view of a fourth embodiment
of the side wall of the storage box of FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional top view of a fifth embodiment
of the side wall of the storage box of FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional top view of a sixth embodiment
of the side wall of the storage box of FIG. 3 and showing the
incorporation therein of a security tag;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mailing envelope in
accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional top view of the mailing envelope
taken through line 8-8 of FIG. 7 and showing the structure of the
front wall of the envelope;
[0018] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional top view of a second embodiment
of the front wall of the envelope;
[0019] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional top view of a third embodiment
of the front wall of the envelope; and
[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional top view of a fourth embodiment
of the front wall of the envelope showing the incorporation therein
of a security tag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a corrugated cardboard box 10 known in
the prior art. Box 10 has a bottom wall (not shown) and four side
walls 12 that define an interior cavity 14 for holding a plurality
of files or papers 16. A lid 18 is provided for closing off access
to cavity 14. Lid 18 may take any one of a number of different
forms, such as four panels as shown in FIG. 1, or a single panel
(not shown) or a completely separate lid unit (not shown). The
bottom wall, side walls 12 and lid 18 are all made from corrugated
cardboard. As shown in FIG. 2, the side wall 12 comprises two
planar sheets 20, 22 which sandwich a corrugated cardboard sheet 24
thereinbetween. The cardboard used in box 10 is vulnerable to water
damage, fire damage, may permit mold to grow thereon if it is
subjected to high moisture environments and is susceptible to
paper-eating insets such as silverfish and the like.
[0022] FIGS. 3-5 show a storage box in accordance with the present
invention and generally indicated at 50. Box 50 is similarly formed
to box 10 in that it has a bottom wall (not shown), side walls 52
that surround and define an interior cavity 54 for holding a
plurality of files or papers 56 therein. A lid 58 is provided for
closing off access to cavity 54. Lid 58 shown in FIG. 3 comprises
four panels that are secured together with an adhesive tape of the
like. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the
shape, size and configuration of box 50, as shown in the attached
drawings, is by way of illustration only. Any shape, size and
configuration of the box and lid may be used without departing from
the spirit of the present invention.
[0023] In accordance with a specific feature of the present
invention, each of the bottom wall, side walls 52 and lid 58 of box
50 are manufactured from a corrugated cardboard that has been
specially treated with one or more of several protective materials
as will are hereinafter described.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a portion of side wall
52 comprising a first and a second planar sheet 60, 62 of cardboard
which sandwich a corrugated sheet 64 of cardboard thereinbetween.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art, that the bottom
wall, side walls 52 and lid 58 of box 50 may be made up from any
number of a plurality of planar and corrugated sheets that are
layered and bonded together to form a unitary member of the
required strength, without departing from the spirit of the present
invention. The following illustrations show a box wall 52 made from
two planar sheets and one corrugated sheet for the sake of clarity
only. FIG. 4 illustrates a first embodiment of the side wall 52 in
which one or more of sheets 60, 62 and 64 are impregnated with a
protective material as will be hereinafter described.
[0025] FIG. 4A shows a second embodiment of side wall 152 that
includes layer of protective material 166 therein. In this
instance, layer 166 is applied over second sheet 162 and, because
second sheet 162 forms the exterior surface of side wail 152,
protective layer 166 forms the external surface of the storage
box.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 4B, there is shown a third embodiment of a
side wall of the box, being generally indicated at 252. Side wall
252 comprises first and second planar sheets 260, 262 of cardboard
which sandwich a corrugated layer 264 thereinbetween. Protective
layer 266 is applied over first sheet 260 and thus forms the
interior surface of the box in accordance with the present
invention.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 4C, there is shown a fourth embodiment of
a side wall for the box, being generally indicated at 352. Side
wall 352 comprises first and second planar sheets 360, 362 of
cardboard which sandwich a corrugated layer 364 thereinbetween. A
first protective layer 366 is applied over sheet 362 and a second
protective layer 368 is applied over sheet 360. The protective
layers 366, 368 therefore form both the exterior and interior
surfaces of the box.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a fifth embodiment of a
side wall for the box, being generally indicated at 452. Side wall
452 comprises first and second planar sheets 460, 462 of cardboard
which sandwich a corrugated layer 464 thereinbetween. A protective
layer 466 is applied over second sheet 462 and another planar sheet
of cardboard 470 is applied over protective layer 466. Thus,
protective layer 466 is sandwiched between two layers of untreated
cardboard.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a sixth embodiment of a
side wall for the storage box, being generally Indicated at 552.
Side wall 552 comprises first and second planar sheets 560, 562 of
cardboard which sandwich a corrugated layer 564 thereinbetween. A
protective layer 566 is applied over second sheet 562. In
accordance with another specific feature of the present invention,
side wall 552 further incorporates an RFID (Radio Frequency
Identification) tag 580. Tag 580 is sandwiched between corrugated
layer 564 and planar sheet 562. Tag 580 may be used to rapidly
locate a particular storage box. Tag 580 may also be used as a
security device to set off an entryway alarm if the box is removed
from a storage facility by unauthorized personnel. In this way, tag
580 is incorporated as a protective material against the threat of
theft.
[0030] In accordance with one of the specific features of the
present invention, one or more layers of the bottom wall, side
walls 52 and lid 58 of box 50 include protective materials that
impart improved protective properties to the storage box 50. In a
first instance, shown in FIG. 4, any or all of sheets 60, 62 and 64
may be impregnated with a protective material. Thus, any and all of
sheets 60, 62 and 64 constitute a protective layer of box 50.
[0031] With reference to FIGS. 4A-6, the protective layer will be
referred to in the following description as layer 66 for the sake
of clarity, but it will be understood that any and all of the
protective layers 66, 68 through to 466 includes one or more
protective materials that impart improved protective properties to
the storage box. Protective layer 66 may be one of a planar or
corrugated sheet of cardboard that is impregnated with the
protective material. Alternatively, protective layer 66 may
comprise a film that is bonded onto a planar sheet of cardboard.
Furthermore, protective layer 66 may constitute a separate thin
film. Finally, protective layer 66 may constitute a powder or
liquid coating that is sprayed or otherwise deposited onto one of
the sheets in the box.
[0032] The protective layer 66 may constitute cardboard that is
impregnated with a chemical that renders that layer water
impervious or water repellant. The chemical may render the layer
fire resistant or fire retardant. The chemical may be a fungicide
that prevents mold from growing, or a pesticide that kills insects
such as silverfish or that repels such insects because of an odor
or taste associated therewith. A wide variety of chemicals are
known to produce these properties, but have not been previously
applied to corrugated cardboard or have not been applied in
combination with each other to cardboard. So, for instance, a wide
variety of chemicals and chemical components may be used for these
purposes. These include, but are not limited to, a wax, or an oil
may be impregnated into the layer, or a plastic film may be used to
create a water repellant or resistant layer. Chemicals such as
aluminum hydroxide and diammonium phosphate, polybrominated
diphenyl ether, polybrominated biphenyl or brominated
cyclohydrocarbons can be sprayed or otherwise applied to a one of
the layers 60, 62 or a separate cardboard sheet in order to create
a fire retardant layer. Boric acid or hydrogen peroxide may be used
in layer 66 to act as a pesticide or fungicide. So, for example, in
FIG. 4, one or more of sheets 60, 62 and 64 may be impregnated with
a suitable insecticide to repel insects such as silverfish from box
50. Or, in FIG. 4A, layer 166 of a suitable fire-retardant chemical
may be applied over the outer sheet 162 of the box. Or, in FIG. 4B,
a fungicide may be applied as layer 268 over the interior sheet 260
of the box. Or, in FIG. 4C, layer 366 may be a suitable water
repellant and layer 368 may be a fire retardant. Or, in FIG. 5, a
fire-retardant layer 466 may be sandwiched between two sheets 462,
470 of cardboard.
[0033] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one
or more or all of these and other chemical compounds may be applied
to the cardboard in one or more layers in order to protect the box
from one or more of water, fire, insects and mold. Furthermore, any
other chemical or substance may be applied to the interior or
exterior of box 50, or may be impregnated into the cardboard layers
thereof in order to give the materials thereof the protective
qualities that are desired.
[0034] FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a mailing envelope in accordance with
the present invention and being generally indicated at 700.
Envelope 700 comprises a pouch 702 and a flap 704. Flap 704
includes an adhesive layer 706 over which a protective paper cover
(not shown) is applied. The paper cover is removed from layer 706
when the envelope 700 has been stuffed and is to be closed. Flap
704 is folded over into abutting contact with wall 710 and adhesive
layer 706 secures flap 704 to wall 710. Preferably, both the pouch
702 and flap 704 incorporate protective materials therein. The
protective materials are applied therein to secure the envelope 700
against threats such as fire, water, insects, mold, fungi, bacteria
and theft.
[0035] In accordance with one of the specific features of the
present invention, walls 710 and 712 are manufactured from a
plurality of layers. One or more of those layers include materials
that impart protective properties to envelope 700. Walls 710 and
719 may be integrally formed or may be secured together in some
suitable manner. Walls 710 and 712 surround and define an interior
cavity 714 into which the articles to be mailed are placed.
[0036] FIG. 8 shows a first embodiment of the structure of wall
710. Wall 710 comprises a first layer 716, a second layer 718 and a
third layer 720. First layer 716 may be manufactured from any
material, such as a paper or cardboard product. Second layer 718 is
applied onto a first surface of first layer 716. Second layer 718
is manufactured from a plastic blister-type material and is thus
waterproof. Second layer 718 additionally provides cushioning for
the articles retained within the cavity 714. Third layer 720 is
applied to a second surface of first layer 716. Third layer 720 is
provided to protect first layer 716 from a different threat to that
of second layer 718. So, for instance, third layer 720 may include
a fungicide or a fire-retardant material. As previously described
in relation to the storage box, if first layer 716 is a paper
product, a protective material may be impregnated directly into
that layer. Second and third layers 718, 720 may be applied as a
film or sprayed onto first layer 716. The structure of wall 710 is
shown by way of illustration only. Any suitable layering of
different materials may be utilized to protect the articles within
pouch 702 from a variety of different threats such as water damage,
fire damage, mold, bacteria, fungi, insects and theft.
[0037] FIG. 8A shows a second embodiment of a possible structure of
the envelope wall, said wall being generally indicated at 810. Wall
810 again is made up from a first layer 816, a second waterproof
blister-type layer 818 and a third layer 820. In this instance,
third layer 820 is applied onto second layer 818 instead of onto
the first layer 816. Third layer 820 may include a fire-retardant
that protects the blister type second layer 818 from melting.
[0038] FIG. 8B shows a third embodiment of the possible structure
of the envelope wall, being generally indicated at 910. Again, wall
910 comprises a first layer 916, a plastic blister-type material
second layer 918 applied to a first surface of first layer 916, a
third layer 920 applied to a second surface of first layer 916, and
a fourth layer 922 applied to a second surface of the second layer
918. Again, each one of the first, second, third and fourth layers
916-922 provides protection against a different threat.
[0039] Finally, FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the structure
of the envelope wall being generally indicated at 1110. The
structure of wall 1110 is substantially identical to that of the
first embodiment 710 thereof, with the exception that the wall
includes a pouch 1112 that surrounds and retains an RFID tag 1114
therein to protect envelope 700 from the threat of theft.
[0040] As with the storage box, the protective layers in envelope
700 may be impregnated into the material of the layer, applied as a
film, applied as a spray coating or may be sandwiched between the
various layers within envelope 700.
[0041] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0042] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact
details shown or described.
* * * * *