U.S. patent application number 12/457063 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-02 for packaging element, in particular packaging insert.
This patent application is currently assigned to DIVIDELLA AG. Invention is credited to Erich Specker.
Application Number | 20100300926 12/457063 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43219032 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100300926 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Specker; Erich |
December 2, 2010 |
Packaging element, in particular packaging insert
Abstract
A packaging arrangement comprises a folding box (13) and a
packaging insert (1) arranged therein for fixing elongate articles
(30) in position, the packaging insert comprising a sheet-like
blank (20). The packaging insert (1) has at least one crosspiece
(2) which has in each case two side walls (3, 3') which are erected
from a base plane, are connected to one another at a preferably
acute angle and form a top crosspiece edge (4). In order for an
article (30) to be deposited, the crosspiece (2) has cutouts (5)
which are open in the direction of the top crosspiece edge, a
resiliently deformable securing nose (6) being provided on one side
of the cutout (5). The securing nose can prevent the article from
falling out.
Inventors: |
Specker; Erich; (Altstatten,
CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE NATH LAW GROUP
112 South West Street
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
DIVIDELLA AG
Grabs
CH
|
Family ID: |
43219032 |
Appl. No.: |
12/457063 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/564 ;
206/587 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/002 20130101;
B65D 85/24 20130101; B65D 5/504 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/564 ;
206/587 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/20 20060101
B65D085/20; B65D 81/05 20060101 B65D081/05 |
Claims
1. A packaging element, in particular packaging insert for fixing
elongate articles (30) in position, comprising a sheet-like blank
(20) having at least one crosspiece (2) which has in each case two
side walls (3, 3') which are erected from a base plane, are
connected to one another at a preferably acute angle and form a top
crosspiece edge (4), the crosspiece (2) having at least one cutout
(5) which extends over both side walls (3, 3') of the crosspiece,
is open in the direction of the top crosspiece edge and can have an
article (30) deposited in a storage position in it, wherein a
securing nose (6) is provided on at least one side of the cutout
(5), and this securing nose is configured in a resiliently
deformable manner such that during the depositing operation, in
order to allow the article through, it can be deformed in the
depositing direction (e) under the action of pressure, and that
once the storage position has been reached, in order to secure a
deposited article in the storage position, or following removal of
the pressure, it can be restored, at least in part, to its original
form.
2. The packaging element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
securing nose has a top edge (7) which follows the top crosspiece
edge (4) and can be tilted, under the action of pressure, in the
direction of the base plane.
3. The packaging element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
securing nose (6) has at least one side portion (8) which is
assigned to a respective side wall (3, 3') of the crosspiece and of
which the periphery (9) directed toward the base plane forms a stop
for a deposited article (30).
4. The packaging element as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
periphery (9) directed toward the base plane contains a periphery
portion (10) running approximately parallel to the base plane
and/or approximately parallel to the top crosspiece edge (4).
5. The packaging element as claimed in claim 4, wherein, in order
to predetermine a further stopping point for a deposited article,
the periphery portion (10) is followed by an obliquely running
flank portion (11).
6. The packaging element as claimed in claim 1, wherein a securing
nose (6) is provided only on one side of the cutout (5), and
wherein the cutout (5) comprises a J-shaped portion (12).
7. The packaging element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutout
(5) has a clearance (13) which is arranged at the base end of the
securing nose (6).
8. The packaging element as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in order
to limit the deformation of the securing nose (6) and/or to
predetermine a point of inflection for the tilting of the top nose
edge (7), at least the side portion (8) is separated from the side
walls (3, 3') of the crosspiece by a weakening line (14).
9. The packaging element as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
weakening line (14) is a scored line created by a stamping
operation.
10. The packaging element as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
weakening line (14) runs approximately perpendicularly to the top
crosspiece edge (4).
11. The packaging element as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
weakening line (14) is set back by a distance (t), preferably by
the thickness of the material of the blank (20), in relation to a
lateral periphery (15) of an accommodating region for the storage
position of the article (30).
12. The packaging element as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
weakening line (14) extends from the clearance (13).
13. A blank (20) for a packaging element as claimed in claim 1.
14. A packaging arrangement having a folding box (13) and at least
one packaging insert (1) as claimed in claim 1 arranged therein,
the folding box having a base (22) and four side walls (23, 24),
wherein the packaging insert (1) is adhesively bonded to the base
(22).
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a packaging element, in particular
to a packaging insert according to the preamble of claim 1. The
invention also relates to a blank for the packaging element
according to the invention and to a packaging arrangement having a
folding box and at least one packaging insert arranged therein.
Such packaging elements serve for accommodating elongate articles,
and are used, in particular, in the pharmaceutical industry for
packaging, for example, ampoules, bottles or syringes. The folding
box and packaging insert each comprise sheet-like blanks and are
usually adhesively bonded just directly prior to being filled.
[0002] Generically comparable packaging inserts having
cross-sectionally triangular crosspieces and cutouts arranged
thereon for accommodating articles have been known, and in
widespread use, for some time now. DE 297 23 215 U1 discloses, for
example, a generically comparable packaging insert which is
adhesively bonded to the base of a cuboidal box. A crosspiece here
comprises side walls which are connected to one another at an acute
angle. Specifically configured cutouts are provided in the
crosspieces in order to grip ampoules with clamping action. Each
cutout has on both sides, in respect of the depositing direction,
approximately centrally arranged tapering by means of which, with
light pressure being applied, the ampoules are pressed into the
cutouts. It has been found in practice that deposited articles, in
the storage position described, can nevertheless fall out
comparatively easily. This may lead to problems, in particular,
because ampoules or other sensitive articles can easily be
damaged.
[0003] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a
packaging element of the type mentioned in the introduction in
which deposited articles are retained securely in the storage
position even when subjected to elevated external stressing. The
intention is for it no longer to be possible for the articles to
fall out accidentally without thus adversely affecting the
automated insertion on a packaging production line.
[0004] This object is achieved by a packaging element which has the
features in claim 1. A securing nose which can be deformed in the
depositing direction has an advantageous restoring capability.
Since at least slightly resilient deformation, and virtually no
plastic deformation, is established, a deformed securing nose,
following removal of the pressure, can be restored at least to the
extent where the deposited article is retained securely in the
storage position. If an article is located in the storage position,
it is not possible, in practice, for the article to be removed from
the packaging element. The packaging element is suitable, in
principle, for any kind of elongate article, but in particular for
packaging ampoules, bottles or syringes in the pharmaceutical
industry.
[0005] In order for the article to be removed, a user
advantageously has to subject the securing nose to pressure, for
example using a fingernail, in the depositing direction, as a
result of which the securing nose can be deformed, once again, in
order to release the article. In this state, the article can easily
be removed in the direction counter to the depositing
direction.
[0006] During the depositing operation, the securing nose can be
deformed such that the top nose edge tilts downward and the article
can thus be allowed through and/or guided past the securing nose.
When the storage position is reached, the securing nose can be
automatically restored, at least in part, to its original form on
account of its restoring capability. The depositing operation can
be carried out straightforwardly. It is not possible, in practice,
for the article to fall out of the storage position accidentally.
The securing-nose arrangement according to the invention has, in
particular, the advantage that--in comparison, for example, with
the configuration of a cutout of the type according to DE 297 23
215 U1--tapering with a comparatively small extent can be created.
The width of the tapering may be preferably less than 80% of the
width of the depositing region, particularly preferably less than
60% of the depositing region. In relation to a diameter of a
partially cylindrical article which is to be deposited, the width
of the tapering may be approximately between 30% and 70% of this
diameter.
[0007] Advantageous storage and support is usually provided only
when the packaging element has at least two preferably parallel
crosspieces arranged one behind the other. Each crosspiece here has
in each case two side walls which are erected from a base plane,
are connected to one another at a preferably acute angle and form a
top crosspiece edge. Each crosspiece also has at least one cutout
which extends over both side walls of the crosspiece, is open in
the direction of the top crosspiece edge and can have an article
deposited in a storage position in it. However, not all the cutouts
have to be provided with securing noses. For example, it may be
sufficient if, in the case of at least two crosspieces, just one of
the crosspieces were to have one or more cutouts with securing
noses. The rest of the crosspieces could have, for example, cutouts
just of conventional U-shaped design. It may be particularly
advantageous if the packaging element has, for example, four
crosspieces arranged in a row one behind the other, in which case
two crosspieces could have cutouts provided with securing noses and
the two other crosspieces could have conventional cutouts.
[0008] The blank for the packaging element may consist of cardboard
or cardboard laminate. The crosspieces may be predetermined by
folding or bending lines running parallel on the blank. The side
walls of the crosspiece may form an isosceles triangle in cross
section. Of course, other triangular shapes are nevertheless also
conceivable. It is even conceivable for the crosspiece to be
designed as a cross-sectionally rectangular or trapezoidal hollow
body. A possible cross-sectional shape in particular could be a
trapezoid which tapers in the direction of the top edge. In this
case, the top edge, rather than being formed for example by a
straightforward bending line, would be formed by the top side of
the trapezoid, this top side preferably being plane-parallel to a
base.
[0009] In a first embodiment, the securing nose may have at least
one side portion which is assigned to a side wall of the crosspiece
and of which the periphery directed toward the base plane can form
a stop for a deposited article in the storage position. It is
advantageous if both side walls of the crosspiece have a side
portion.
[0010] It may be advantageous if the periphery directed toward the
base plane contains a periphery portion running approximately
parallel to the base plane and/or approximately parallel to the top
crosspiece edge. Such a periphery portion can easily be used to
form a suitable boundary means for securing the article in the
storage position.
[0011] In order to predetermine a further stopping point for a
deposited article, it is possible to provide an obliquely running
flank portion which follows the periphery portion. This provides
for a two-point support in relation to the direction counter to the
depositing direction. Of course, instead of such two-point support
(or possibly just single-point support), it would be possible to
provide a periphery of which the shape complements the article
which is to be deposited. For cylindrical articles, the periphery
could also be circular.
[0012] A cutout provided for securely fixing an article may be
provided with securing noses on both sides in each case. For
straight-forward handling, in particular for simplified removal of
the article, however, it may be advantageous if a securing nose is
provided only on one side of the cutout. The cutout, furthermore,
may comprise a U-shaped portion. Depending on the shape of the
article which is to be deposited, the bottom region of the U may be
of arcuate or some other shape. The lateral peripheries adjoining
the base region may advantageously run approximately parallel. Of
course, however, it is also conceivable for the lateral peripheries
to open in the upward direction.
[0013] In order to limit the deformation of the securing nose
and/or to predetermine a point of inflection for the tilting of the
top nose edge, at least the side portion can be separated from the
side walls of the crosspiece by a weakening line. This means that
specific deformation can easily be achieved during a depositing
operation.
[0014] It is particularly advantageous if the weakening line is a
scored line created by a stamping operation. A scored weakening
line differs, for example, from a perforation line in that no
predetermined breaking point is produced. As a result, it is also
possible largely to avoid the situation where an entire securing
nose is torn off accidentally. Moreover, a scored line gives rise
to a considerably lower level of plastic deformation and thus to a
greater restoring force.
[0015] The weakening line can run approximately perpendicularly to
the top crosspiece edge. With a corresponding configuration of the
securing nose, this makes it possible to achieve a maximum tilting
angle of approximately 90.degree..
[0016] The weakening line may be set back by a distance in relation
to a lateral periphery of an accommodating region for the storage
position of the article. This arrangement ensures that, when the
securing nose is deformed to the full extent, the article can
readily be guided past the same during the depositing operation. It
may be particularly advantageous here if the abovementioned
distance corresponds to the thickness of the material or at least
the thickness of the material of the blank.
[0017] It may further be advantageous if the weakening line extends
from the clearance. Such an arrangement ensures optimum movement
capability of the securing nose as it is deformed under the
application of pressure.
[0018] A further aspect of the invention relates to a blank for the
abovedescribed packaging element.
[0019] A further aspect of the invention, then, relates to a
packaging arrangement having a folding box and a packaging insert
of the abovedescribed type arranged therein. The folding box may
have a base wall and four side walls preferably adjoining the
latter perpendicularly, the packaging insert being adhesively
bonded to the base. The packaging insert, on the base, can extend
over the entire width of the box. The packaging insert,
furthermore, may have reinforcing strips which are arranged between
the crosspieces, laterally alongside the crosspieces, and are
adhesively bonded to the base. Of course, it is not imperative for
the packaging insert to be combined with a box. Thus, for certain
applications, it may also be advantageous if the packaging insert
were adhesively bonded only to a card (i.e. sheet-like element
comprising a base portion, but without any side walls).
[0020] Further individual features and advantages of the invention
can be gathered from the following description of the exemplary
embodiments and from the drawings, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a packaging
arrangement having a folding box and a packaging insert arranged
therein,
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration, as seen from a
slightly different viewing angle, of a detail of a crosspiece
having a cutout with a securing nose,
[0023] FIG. 3a shows a plan view of a cutout provided with a
securing nose and of an article which is to be deposited,
[0024] FIG. 3b shows the cutout according to FIG. 3a with a
slightly deformed securing nose,
[0025] FIG. 3c shows the cutout according to FIG. 3a with a fully
deformed securing nose, the article being guided past the
latter,
[0026] FIG. 3d shows the cutout according to FIG. 3a with the
article in the storage position,
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a crosspiece having a
cutout and a securing nose in the rest position,
[0028] FIG. 5 shows the detail of the crosspiece according to FIG.
4, this time with a deformed securing nose,
[0029] FIG. 6 shows a blank for the packaging insert of the
packaging arrangement according to FIG. 1,
[0030] FIG. 7 shows a blank for the folding box of the packaging
arrangement according to FIG. 1,
[0031] FIG. 8 shows a detail-form view of a cutout of the blank
according to FIG. 6,
[0032] FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a cutout,
[0033] FIG. 10 shows a further cutout, and
[0034] FIG. 11 shows a vastly enlarged illustration of a cutout in
a two-dimensional position.
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a packaging arrangement 18 having a folding box
19 and a packaging insert 1 arranged therein. The packaging insert
1 has a total of four crosspieces which run transversely between
two side walls 23 of the box, the crosspieces which are designated
by 2 having specially configured cutouts 5 and the two crosspieces
17 having conventional, approximately U-shaped cutouts 26. Elongate
articles, for example syringes 30 shown in FIG. 1, can be deposited
in these cutouts.
[0036] The box 1 which is shown in FIG. 1, and may consist of
cardboard or cardboard laminate, is a folding box which is already
known per se in the prior art. Such boxes can be produced from a
single blank (cf. FIG. 7) and have a base, four side walls 23 and
24, which adjoin the latter perpendicularly, and a lid 25. As can
be seen, the box also has dust flaps adjoining the side walls 24,
and the side walls 23 and 24 are connected to one another by
adhesive-bonding tabs.
[0037] The packaging insert is adhesively bonded to the box base
via its base portions 16, and this results in relatively flexurally
rigid crosspieces 2 and 17 of triangular cross-sectional shape. The
crosspieces have in each case two side walls which are erected from
a base plane, are connected to one another at an acute angle
(usually between 5.degree. and 30.degree., preferably approximately
10.degree.) and form a top crosspiece edge. In the present
exemplary embodiment, cutouts 5, 26 and 26' which are open in the
direction of the top crosspiece edge are arranged in each
crosspiece in order for seven syringes 30 to be packaged.
[0038] Of course, the number of crosspieces may vary. In order for
elongate articles to be fixed in position in an advantageous
manner, however, at least two parallel crosspieces should be
provided. FIG. 1 shows two crosspieces 2, of which the cutouts 5
have securing noses 6, which will be described in more detail
hereinbelow. Depending on the articles, however, two such
crosspieces 2 provided with securing noses are not always
necessary. In order for deposited articles to be sufficiently
secured in the storage position, however, the packaging insert
should have at least one crosspiece provided with securing noses.
The rest of the crosspieces can have conventional cutouts (i.e.
just U-shaped cutouts).
[0039] FIG. 2 shows part of a crosspiece 2 with a detailed
illustration of a cutout 5 with a securing nose 6. As can be seen,
the cutout 5 has a J-shaped portion 12, in the base region of which
it is possible to deposit an article. As can be seen, the securing
nose 6 partially blocks the opening of the cutout 5 in the upward
direction. A periphery 9 directed toward the base plane here would
form a stop for a deposited article (not illustrated). The
crosspiece 2 has two side walls 3 and 3', which are connected to
one another by the top crosspiece edge 4. The side walls of the
crosspiece are connected to the base portion 16 by folding or
bending lines. The securing nose 6 has a top edge 7 which follows
the top crosspiece edge 4 and connects two side portions 8 to one
another. The securing nose 6 is thus--like the crosspiece--of
triangular configuration in cross section. It is not absolutely
necessary, however, for both side walls of the crosspiece to have a
side portion. Thus, it would at least be conceivable for, for
example, just one side wall of the crosspiece to have a side
portion.
[0040] By virtue of pressure being applied to the top nose edge 7
(indicated by a force F). the securing nose 6 can be tilted or
inflected downward, in which case it deforms. It can also be seen
that a clearance 13 is arranged at the base end of the securing
nose. Accordingly, this clearance is located between the periphery
9 and the J-shaped portion. A depositing operation, in which an
article is moved into the storage position, will be presented
hereinbelow, with reference to FIGS. 3a to 3d.
[0041] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3a, the side
portion 8 of the securing nose 6 is separated from the side wall 3
of the crosspiece by a weakening line 14. Of course, it is also
nevertheless conceivable to dispense with such a weakening line--as
in FIG. 2. However, it has been found that specific deformation of
the securing nose 6 can easily be achieved thanks to the weakening
line 14. The weakening line 14 may advantageously be a scored line
created by a stamping operation. As can be seen, the line 14 runs
through the clearance 13, and is set back by a distance t in
relation to the lateral periphery 15 of the J-shaped portion 12 of
the cutout 5 (FIG. 2).
[0042] As can be gathered from FIG. 3b, the top nose edge 7 is
tilted toward the base plane in the depositing direction e under
the application of pressure. As can be seen, the point of
inflection, or tilting point, is located at the crossover region of
the top edges 4/7 and the line 14. If an article 30, then, is
displaced further downward in direction e, the securing nose 6 is
deformed to the extent where the tapering formed by the securing
nose is eliminated. Such a position is shown in FIG. 3c, in which
the article 30 can easily be guided past the securing nose 6. The
clearance 13 here serves to make possible such defined deformation
of the securing nose 6. In FIG. 3d, the article 30 is located in
its end position or storage position. As can be seen, the securing
nose has been restored more or less completely to its original
form. The restoring capability is provided by the configuration of
the securing nose 6 according to the invention. FIG. 3d also shows
that the base region of the cutout 5 approximately complements the
cross-sectional shape of the article 30.
[0043] In the storage position, the base periphery of the securing
nose 6, along with an obliquely running flank portion and a
periphery portion 10, which runs parallel to the top nose edge 7,
forms a stop which prevents the article from falling out.
[0044] FIGS. 4 and 5 show, once again, a blank 5 with a securing
nose 6, this time seen from a different viewing angle. In FIG. 4,
the securing nose 6 is located in a rest position. In FIG. 5, the
securing nose 6 is located in a deformed position (this position
corresponds approximately to the position according to FIG. 3c). As
can be seen, the deformed securing nose 6 is flattened in this
position, and the flattened part of the securing nose, this part
directed toward the viewer, is of approximately triangular design.
Such flattening is produced by virtue of the side portion of the
securing nose being swung over, a fold 31 forming on both sides.
Such a fold 31 is likewise indicated by a corresponding line in
FIG. 3c.
[0045] FIG. 6 shows a sheet-like blank 20 which is made of
cardboard or cardboard laminate and from which the packaging insert
is produced. The depicted blank is intended for forming four
parallel crosspieces, respective base portions 16 being arranged
between the crosspieces. The front and rear crosspieces are
likewise followed laterally by base portions, which, like the other
base portions 16, are provided for adhesive bonding to a box base.
The solid lines correspond to cutting lines, the dashed lines (e.g.
27) correspond to perforation lines, and the dash-dotted lines
(e.g. 28) correspond to scored lines created by a stamping
operation. Alongside the specially configured cutouts 5,
approximately U-shaped cutouts 26 and 26' are arranged, laterally
in each case, in corresponding crosspieces. As can be seen, the
lateral peripheries of the U-shaped cutouts 26 and 26', rather than
running precisely parallel, open slightly in the direction of the
top edge.
[0046] FIG. 7 shows a blank 21 for a folding box. The base 22, the
side walls 23 and 24 and the lid 25 are separated from one another
by bending or folding lines (lines made up of single dashes and
dots indicate scored lines; lines made up of double dashes and dots
indicate incised lines).
[0047] As FIG. 9 shows, a cutout 5 of a crosspiece may also have
two securing noses which are directed toward one another. Provided
on each side of the cutout 5 are side portions 8 and 8', which are
separated from the side walls of the crosspiece in each case by a
weakening line 14 and 14'. In the exemplary embodiment according to
FIG. 9, the securing noses are of mirror-symmetrical design.
[0048] The configuration of the cutout 5 according to FIG. 10
differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 8 merely by the fact
that a short scored line 29 is provided in the corner region of the
periphery 9. An incision would also be conceivable in place of the
scored line.
[0049] As the enlarged illustration of a blank in FIG. 11 shows,
the top crosspiece edge and the top nose edge are predetermined by
a scored line 28. This line 28 also separates from one another two
side portions 8 with the flank portions 11. The side portions 8,
for their part, are separated from the side walls of the crosspiece
by the weakening line 14. The distance t is approximately 1 mm, but
is at least equal to the thickness of the piece of cardboard as a
clearance space for the nose. The base region of the J-shaped
portion 12 is formed by a semicircle (circle radius R), the
dimensioning being adapted to the article which is to be deposited.
Depending on the article, the base region, of course, may also be
of some other shape.
[0050] The packaging element may consist of cardboard, cardboard
laminate or of some other material with good restoring
capability.
* * * * *