Packaging

Abstract

A packaging component comprises a first block including a first support member having a first protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof and a second block opposite the first block and including a second support member having a second protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof. A spacer is coupled between the first block and the second block, and defines a longitudinal axis therebetween. The spacer is adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis so that the packaging component can be adjusted to a desired size within a range provided by the spacer to enable the packaging component to provide an interference fit within a product.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to packaging.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] When products are shipped it is important to ensure that they are protected from damage during shipping. Damage may arise from the product colliding with something else (for example, another product, a wall of a shipping container, or the like), and/or from internal components of the product colliding with each other or sidewalls of the product.

[0003] To protect the exterior of a product, products are typically packaged in a crate or carton, with foam or polystyrene blocks being inserted between the crate or carton and the product. Foam or polystyrene blocks are also inserted within the product to ensure that any components mounted therein do not move, thereby reducing the possibility of internal damage.

[0004] One particular device that requires careful packaging prior to transportation is a self-service terminal, such as an automated teller machine (ATM). To protect components and modules within an ATM during transportation, ATM vendors typically use dozens of foam and wooden blocks of various widths and heights. These blocks are pressed into spaces between delicate modules and supporting structures to prevent excessive movement and subsequent damage during transportation. Each block can cost between 25 pence (25 p) and three pounds sterling (.English Pound.3). The blocks are typically discarded when the ATM is unpacked at its destination.

[0005] Using these types of blocks has a number of problems. Firstly, many of these blocks are required to package an ATM securely. Secondly, it is expensive to purchase these blocks because each block is bought in comparatively low volume due to the large number of different sizes of blocks that are used. Thirdly, the packaging process is slow because a correct size of block must be located (often by trial and error) while the ATM is being packaged, and the various sizes and shapes of block appear quite similar to the person packaging the ATM. Fourthly, it is expensive to design and produce new blocks for newly-designed internal ATM components.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, the invention generally provides methods, systems, and apparatus for improved packaging.

[0007] In addition to the Summary of Invention provided above and the subject matter disclosed below in the Detailed Description, the following paragraphs of this section are intended to provide further basis for alternative claim language for possible use during prosecution of this application, if required. If this application is granted, some aspects of the invention may relate to claims added during prosecution of this application, other aspects may relate to claims deleted during prosecution, other aspects may relate to subject matter never claimed. Furthermore, the various aspects detailed hereinafter are independent of each other, except where stated otherwise. Any claim corresponding to one aspect should not be construed as incorporating any element or feature of the other aspects unless explicitly stated in that claim.

[0008] According to a first aspect there is provided a packaging component comprising: a first block including a first support member having a first protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof; a second block opposite the first block and including a second support member having a second protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof; a spacer coupled between the first block and the second block, and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the spacer being adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis; whereby the packaging component can be adjusted to a desired size within a range provided by the spacer to enable the packaging component to provide an interference fit within a product.

[0009] The first support member may comprise a solid material, such as wood, plastics, metal, or the like.

[0010] The second support member may also comprise a solid material, such as wood, plastics, metal, or the like.

[0011] The first protective layer disposed on an external surface of the first support member may comprise polystyrene, foam, or the like.

[0012] The second protective layer disposed on an external surface of the second support member may also comprise polystyrene, foam, or the like.

[0013] The spacer may be implemented by any convenient adjustable member.

[0014] The spacer may comprise a threaded sleeve and a corresponding bolt, so that when the first block is rotated relative to the second block the spacer extends or contracts longitudinally, depending on the direction of rotation. Clockwise rotation of the first block may drive the bolt within the threaded sleeve so that the sleeve encloses the bolt; whereas, anticlockwise rotation of the first block may remove the bolt from the threaded sleeve. This arrangement has the advantage of providing continuously variable adjustment of the spacer length.

[0015] The spacer may comprise a telescopic arrangement of sleeves, each sleeve may be rotatable relative to another sleeve to lock that sleeve in place.

[0016] The spacer may comprise a pair of arm linkages (each arm linkage comprising a plurality of linked arm members) where corresponding arm members cross each other and have a pivot at the crossing point, so that a scissor action is provided, thereby enabling the first and second support members to be pushed together (causing the arm members to move towards a position generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis when fully closed) or pulled apart (causing the arm members to move towards a position generally parallel to the longitudinal axis when fully apart).

[0017] The spacer may comprise a bellows or concertina type of arrangement.

[0018] The spacer may comprise an inner sleeve slidably mounted within an outer sleeve, the outer sleeve having detent apertures disposed longitudinally therealong, and the inner sleeve including a resiliently-biased stub for protruding through a detent aperture to lock the inner sleeve and outer sleeve in place.

[0019] According to a second aspect there is provided a packaged product including the packaging component of the first aspect of the invention.

[0020] According to a third aspect there is provided a kit of packaging components comprising: a first packaging component including a first block having a first protective layer, a second block opposite the first block and having a second protective layer, a first spacer coupled between the first block and the second block, and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the first spacer being adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis up to a first maximum length; and a second packaging component including a third block having a third protective layer, a fourth block opposite the third block and having a fourth protective layer, a second spacer coupled between the third block and the fourth block, and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the second spacer being adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis up to a second maximum length, where the second maximum length is at least fifty percent greater than the first maximum length.

[0021] The kit of packaging components may further comprise: a third packaging component including a fifth block having a fifth protective layer, a sixth block opposite the fifth block and having a sixth protective layer, a third spacer coupled between the fifth block and the sixth block, and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the third spacer being adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis up to a third maximum length, where the third maximum length is at least fifty percent greater than the second maximum length.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect there is provided a method of packaging a component, the method comprising: providing a packaging component comprising a first block having a first protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof coupled to a second block having a second protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof by a spacer including a spacer sleeve and a spacer bolt; rotating the first block in a clockwise direction relative to the second block to drive the spacer bolt into the spacer sleeve; measuring a length from the first protective layer to the second protective layer; comparing the measured length with a distance in a product to be filled; rotating the first block in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction until the length from the first protective layer to the second protective layer matches the distance to be filled; and inserting the packaging component into the distance to be filled to provide an interference fit therein.

[0023] According to a fifth aspect there is provided a packaging component comprising: a first block including a first protective layer; a second block opposite the first block and including a second protective layer; a spacer coupled between the first block and the second block, and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the spacer being adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis; whereby the packaging component can be adjusted to a desired size within a range provided by the spacer to enable the packaging component to provide an interference fit within a product.

[0024] By virtue of these aspects of the invention an adjustable packaging component is provided that enables a secure interference fit to be achieved without requiring an array of different sizes and shapes of packaging blocks.

[0025] These and other aspects will be apparent from the following specific description, given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 is a pictorial perspective diagram illustrating a packaging component according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a pictorial perspective diagram illustrating the packaging component of FIG. 1 from a different angle;

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a self-service terminal mounted within a crate and including the packaging component of FIG. 1 inserted therein to protect internal components thereof; and

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a kit of three different sizes of packaging components similar to those of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which are pictorial perspective diagrams illustrating a packaging component 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] The packaging component 10 comprises a first block 14 including a first support member 16 (in the form of a wooden base) having a first protective layer 18 (in the form of a foam block) disposed on an external surface 20 of the wooden base 16. In this specific embodiment, the length of the first block is 4 cm. Similarly, the packaging component 10 also has a second block 24 opposite the first block 14.

[0032] The second block 24 includes a second support member 26 (also in the form of a wooden base) having a second protective layer 28 (also in the form of a foam block) disposed on an external surface 30 of the wooden base 26. In this specific embodiment, the length of the second block 24 is the same as that of the first block 14, namely 4 cm.

[0033] The packaging component 10 has a spacer 40 coupling the first block 14 to the second block 24. The spacer 40 defines a longitudinal axis 42 between the first and second blocks 14,24. The spacer 40 comprises a threaded sleeve 44 coupled to the first block 14 and a bolt 46 coupled to the second block 24.

[0034] To adjust the length of the spacer 40 to fit within a desired gap, a packager twists the first block 14 relative to the second block 24 (or vice versa). This has the effect of extending or shortening the length of the spacer 40. When the spacer 40 has been adjusted to the desired length, the packaging component 10 can be inserted within a gap in a product to provide an interference fit therein.

[0035] When the bolt 46 is fully inserted into the threaded sleeve 44, the spacer is approximately 6 cm long; whereas, when the bolt 46 is almost removed from the threaded sleeve 44, the spacer is approximately 12 cm long. Thus, the length of the packaging component 10 can range from 14 cm to 20 cm.

[0036] Reference is now also made to FIG. 3, which is a simplified drawing illustrating a self-service terminal 50 (in the form of an ATM) packaged within a crate 60 for shipping. Solid foam blocks 70 are provided between the crate 60 and the ATM 50 to prevent the ATM 50 from moving within the crate 60. The ATM 50 has a safe area 72 enclosed by a safe door (not shown for clarity), a controller area 74 in which a PC core 76 is mounted, and an upper module area 78. The safe area 72 houses a cash dispenser 80. The upper module area 78 includes various modules (such as a card reader, a display, a receipt printer, and the like), but these are not shown for clarity.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, and better illustrated in FIG. 4, three different sizes of packaging components are used within the ATM 50. The first packaging component is packaging component 10. The second packaging component 100 is very similar to packaging component 10, but the spacer 104 is adjustable from 8 cm to 16 cm. The third packaging component 110 is also very similar to packaging components 10 and 100, but the spacer 114 is adjustable from 12 cm to 24 cm.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the first type of packaging component 10 has been adjusted (by rotating the first block 14 relative to the second block 24) and inserted between the cash dispenser 80 and an upper wall of the safe area 72 to provide an interference fit therebetween. Similarly, the second type of packaging component 100 has been adjusted and inserted between the cash dispenser 80 and a sidewall of the safe area 72 to provide an interference fit therebetween. The combination of the first type of packaging component 10 and the second type of packaging component 100 prevent the cash dispenser 80 from moving during shipping.

[0039] In a similar manner, the first type of packaging component 10 and the third type of packaging component 110 are used to secure the PC core 76 within the controller area 74.

[0040] It will now be appreciated that this embodiment has the advantage that a small number of adjustable packaging components can be used to secure components within a product to be shipped. When the product arrives at its destination, the packaging components can be removed and re-used, if required.

[0041] Various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment within the scope of the invention, for example, the first and/or second blocks may be comprised entirely of a protective layer (such as a foam or polystyrene block), without any additional support member.

[0042] The specific lengths of spacers and first and second blocks described above are given merely by way of example; for a different product, different sizes of spacer and blocks may be more appropriate.

[0043] The kit of packaging components may contain a greater or fewer number of components than three.

[0044] The first and/or second support members, where they are used, may comprise plastic, metal, or any other convenient material.

[0045] The terms "comprising", "including", "incorporating", and "having" are used herein to recite an open-ended list of one or more elements or steps, not a closed list. When such terms are used, those elements or steps recited in the list are not exclusive of other elements or steps that may be added to the list.

Claims

1. A packaging component comprising: a first block including a first support member having a first protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof; a second block opposite the first block and including a second support member having a second protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof; a spacer coupled between the first block and the second block, and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the spacer being adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis; whereby the packaging component can be adjusted to a desired size within a range provided by the spacer to enable the packaging component to provide an interference fit within a product.

2. A packaging component according to claim 1, wherein the first protective layer disposed on an external surface of the first support member comprises a foam block.

3. A packaging component according to claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises a threaded sleeve and a corresponding bolt, so that when the first block is rotated relative to the second block the spacer extends or contracts longitudinally, depending on the direction of rotation.

4. A packaging component according to claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises a telescopic arrangement of sleeves, each sleeve rotatable relative to another sleeve to lock the rotating sleeve in place.

5. A packaging component according to claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises a pair of arm linkages, each arm linkage comprising a plurality of linked arm members, where corresponding arm members cross each other and have a pivot at the crossing point, so that a scissor action is provided, thereby enabling the first and second support members to be pushed together or pulled.

6. A packaging component according to claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises a concertina type of arrangement.

7. A packaging component according to claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises an inner sleeve slidably mounted within an outer sleeve, the outer sleeve having detent apertures disposed longitudinally therealong, and the inner sleeve including a resiliently-biased stub for protruding through a detent aperture to lock the inner sleeve and outer sleeve in place.

8. A packaged product including the packaging component of claim 1.

9. A kit of packaging components comprising: a first packaging component including a first block having a first protective layer, a second block opposite the first block and having a second protective layer, a first spacer coupled between the first block and the second block, and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the first spacer being adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis up to a first maximum length; and a second packaging component including a third block having a third protective layer, a fourth block opposite the third block and having a fourth protective layer, a second spacer coupled between the third block and the fourth block, and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the second spacer being adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis up to a second maximum length, where the second maximum length is at least fifty percent greater than the first maximum length.

10. A kit according to claim 9, wherein the kit of packaging components further comprises: a third packaging component including a fifth block having a fifth protective layer, a sixth block opposite the fifth block and having a sixth protective layer, a third spacer coupled between the fifth block and the sixth block, and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the third spacer being adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis up to a third maximum length, where the third maximum length is at least fifty percent greater than the second maximum length.

11. A method of packaging a component, the method comprising: providing a packaging component comprising a first block having a first protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof coupled to a second block having a second protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof by a spacer including a spacer sleeve and a spacer bolt; rotating the first block in a clockwise direction relative to the second block to drive the spacer bolt into the spacer sleeve; measuring a length from the first protective layer to the second protective layer; comparing the measured length with a distance in a product to be filled; rotating the first block in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction until the length from the first protective layer to the second protective layer matches the distance to be filled; and inserting the packaging component into the distance to be filled to provide an interference fit therein.