U.S. patent application number 14/303018 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-18 for edge protector and packaging system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Richard Normandin. Invention is credited to Richard Normandin.
Application Number | 20140367306 14/303018 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52018310 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140367306 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Normandin; Richard |
December 18, 2014 |
Edge Protector and Packaging System
Abstract
An improved edge protector and packaging system comprises a
generally right angle member having a plurality of right angle
bands joined by a plurality of intermediate arms. The edge
protector and packaging system allow for the protection of corners
typically exposed to damages during transportation and storage. The
edge protector and packaging system may be of different sizes to
accommodate for a wide variety of shapes and structures having
angles exposed to damages that require some kind of protection.
Inventors: |
Normandin; Richard; (Granby,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Normandin; Richard |
Granby |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
52018310 |
Appl. No.: |
14/303018 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61834110 |
Jun 12, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/586 ;
53/472 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/054
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/586 ;
53/472 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/05 20060101
B65D081/05; B65B 63/00 20060101 B65B063/00 |
Claims
1. An edge protector comprising at least first and second angled
bands and at least one intermediate angled arm, the at least first
and second bands being joined by the at least one intermediate arm
such as to define a space therebetween.
2. An edge protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inside
surface of the first band is in contact with an outside surface of
the at least one intermediate arm, and wherein an inside surface of
the at least one intermediate arm is in contact with an outside
surface of the second band.
3. An edge protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least
one intermediate arm, and the at least first and second bands have
the same thickness.
4. An edge protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least
first and second bands are made from multiple layer materials.
5. An edge protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least
one intermediate arm, and the at least first and second bands are
made from the same material.
6. An edge protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge
protector is unitary.
7. An edge protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least
first and second bands are made from different materials.
8. An edge protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second band
is wider than the first band.
9. An edge protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least
first and second bands are 4 inches wide and have a thickness
between 8/100 of an inch to 40/100 of an inch.
10. An edge protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge
protector comprises a plurality of the intermediate arms located
between the at least first and second bands, the plurality of the
intermediate arms being spaced apart.
11. An edge protector as claimed in claim 10, wherein a total
length of the plurality of intermediate arms is less than a length
of either of the first band or of the second band.
12. An edge protector as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at
least a third band and at least a second intermediate arm.
13. An edge protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inside
surface of the third band is in contact with an outside surface of
the at least second intermediate arm, and wherein an inside surface
of the at least second intermediate arm is in contact with the
outside surface of the first band.
14. An edge protector assembly comprising at least first and second
edge protectors as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second
edge protectors are interlocked together.
15. An edge protector assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein a
portion of one of the first and second bands of the first edge
protector is received in the space defined between the first and
second bands of the second edge protector.
16. An edge protector assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
edge protector assembly is substantially configured to cover the
edges of an article for transportation.
17. An edge protector assembly as claimed in claim 14, the edge
protector assembly comprising twelve edge protectors interconnected
such as to form a prismatic structure.
18. A method for protecting edges of an article for transport or
storage, the method comprising: a. placing an edge protector as
claimed in claim 1 on each of the edges of the article; b.
interconnecting extremities of adjacent edge protectors; and c.
securing at least some of the edge protectors to the article.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present patent application claims the benefits of
priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/834,110,
entitled "Edge Protector and Packaging System", and filed at the
United States Patent and Trademark Office on Jun. 12, 2013, the
content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to edge protectors used in the
packaging of articles and, more particularly, to edge protectors
applied, for example, as vertical edge protectors such as for
application to the corners of a straight-sided article or container
adapted for cushioning the straight corners and edges of packaged
articles along the full height thereof and also adapted to permit
the stacking of the packaged articles on each other without
damaging the container or the article, and horizontal edge
protectors permitting pick up and movement of packaged articles by
a squeeze truck without sideways crushing of the article.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In packaging a number of articles including heavy articles
such as refrigerators, television sets, stoves, air conditioners,
washing machines and dryers, it is customary to package them in
relatively lightweight containers formed of paperboard or
corrugated. The article is located and cushioned within the
container by edge protectors which typically are one or more pieces
of cardboard folded to a 90 degrees angle inserted along the edges
of the articles and the corners of the container. Such edge
protectors are used to provide cushioning to protect the corners of
the packaged article from damage such as scratching and denting
during shipping and handling. A series of relatively narrow straps
are typically wrapped around the container to secure the container
and edge protectors. These straps which may be of a metal such as
steel or a high strength plastic are tensioned to secure the
package and absent corner posts would bite into the edges of the
corrugated packaging and the article contained therein. Further, it
is customary to package articles by enveloping them in a plastic
film such as by shrink or stretch wrap techniques. Again, the edges
of the article are cushioned and protected by edge protectors, also
referred to as corner posts, extending along the length thereof
secured inside the plastic film.
[0004] A number of corner posts are known in the art.
Representative of such designs are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,068,771;
2,160,221; 2,196,157; 2,514,833; 3,556,529; 3,133,687; 3,337,111;
3,536,245; 3,072,313; 3,433,354; 3,708,101; 3,734,389; 4,120,441;
5,181,611 and U.K. Patent No. 2,080,767. These prior art corner
posts, however, all have one or more of the following
disadvantages. Although some provide relatively good cushioning,
they do not provide a load bearing capacity in the vertical
direction which would permit the vertical stacking of loaded
containers or, if they do, they are of substantial bulk and thus
require large amounts of materials, are heavy, and take up space.
For protectors not providing vertical load bearing capacity, when
stacking of such containers is attempted, the weight of the upper
container crushes the underlying containers by bending or buckling
the walls of the container which bear the stacking load. Others
which attempt to provide such vertical load bearing capacity in
turn do not always provide sufficient cushioning and/or are
relatively complex in design and expensive to manufacture. Since
the packaging materials do not add value to the product itself, the
costs of such materials are an important consideration to the
manufacturer who uses such posts in shipping finished goods.
Finally, some designs are subject to crushing by lateral forces
supplied to the container and by shifting movement of the articles
within the container detracting from the cushioning protection for
the edges and corners of the article. Also, some do not properly
assemble in a way that also protects the horizontal corners of the
packaged articles.
[0005] Also known to the art is a corner post comprised of multiple
layers of elongated paperboard which are laminated together, glued,
treated, and formed into rigid right angles. The thickness of the
corner post is determined by the number of layers of paperboard
laminated together and typically ranges from 0.120 inch to
approximately 0.400 inch. Although several corner post or edge
protectors packaging system are known in the art, most are
complicated structures which require substantial manufacturing
capabilities. None of the known edge protectors provide a simple,
lightweight solution for the packaging industry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An improved elongated edge protector and packaging system is
provided. The system is typically formed from a plurality of
members comprising at least first and second bands which are
secured via a plurality of intermediate arms.
[0007] The at least first and second bands are typically formed of
multiple layer materials such as laminated paperboard generally
configured as rigid right angle band. The bands are joined by
intermediate arms also made from a multiple layers material such as
laminated paperboard configured as rigid right angle arm. The right
angle paperboard band has an inside surface and an outside surface.
The inside surface of the first band is generally in contact with
the outside surface of the intermediate arms, wherein the inside
surface of the intermediate arms is generally in contact with the
outside surface of the second band. An adhesive is typically used
to join the intermediate arm with the first and second bands.
Although the use of adhesive may be required for some system
wherein the multilayer material used for making the edge protector
is laminated cardboard, the edge protectors could as well be made
of polymers or composite materials in either a unitary piece or by
an assembly of at least a first and a second band joined by a
plurality of intermediate arms. In systems where polymers or
composite materials are used, the first and a second band could be
joined to the plurality of intermediate arms by adhesive or by a
fusion of the polymers or composite materials where such material
allows such a fusion of the joining pieces together.
[0008] The edge protectors and packaging system according to the
present invention are generally used to protect the angles on
merchandises during transportation or for convenient storage. The
edge protector members are typically made from cheap material that
allow for some degree of flexibility, such as laminated cardboard,
polymers or composite materials.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
edge protector member may be used to protect vertical corners or
horizontal corners but may also allow for the protection of a
combination of vertical and horizontal corners in a single
assembly. The edge protectors of the present system may interlock
thereby allowing the protection of corners created from the
intersection of three surfaces. The ability of the present edge
protectors to interlock or engage at their extremities allows the
use of such edge protectors to create frame having various shapes
or structures. For instance, the combination of twelve edge
protectors having the proper length will create a prismatic
structure (e.g. cube, cuboid, rectangular prism, etc.) for the
protection of all extremities of rectangular or squared shaped
objects. The configuration of the edge protectors allows fast
assembly and removal of packaging materials. In order for the edge
protectors of the present system to interlock, the first and second
bands need to have a thickness similar to that of the intermediate
arms.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
edge protector member may be made from a combination of different
materials allowing for various degrees for malleability. Likewise,
the material used may allow for different types of angular
extremities to be protected. For instances, the first band could be
made from laminated cardboard whereas the second band could be made
from polymer. In such case the pluralities of intermediate arms
could be made of different shock absorbing materials or from a
material identical to one of the bands. The various combinations of
materials will generally allow for the tailoring of the edge
protector to the type of merchandise to be stored or
transported.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
edge protector member may have a shape varying from a flat band or
a 180 degree angle to an angle as small as the material may allow.
As such, a smaller angle will typically be permitted when using a
polymer whereas laminated cardboard which is typically bent to the
desired angle may have some limitation when encountering very small
angles.
[0012] Other and further aspects and advantages of the present
invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative
embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the
appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will
occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in
practice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the
invention will become more readily apparent from the following
description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an edge protector from an
edge protector and packaging system according to the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the edge protector of FIG.
1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the edge protector of FIG.
1.
[0017] FIG. 4 is an end view of the edge protector of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the edge protector of FIG. 1
[0019] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an assembly of two edge
protectors.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an assembly of two edge
protectors.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view a three-dimensional assembly of
edge protectors.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a top view of an edge protector having the first
band shorter than the second band.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] A novel edge protector and packaging system will be
described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms
of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that
the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and
that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited
thereby.
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, an edge protector 20 according
to the principle of the present invention is shown. The edge
protector 20 is made from a combination of at least two bands 10,
14, generally bent to a 90 degrees angle. The first and second
bands 10, 14 are typically joined together by a plurality of
intermediate arms 12, 16, 18 bent to the same angle as the first
and second bands 10, 14. The intermediate arms 12, 16, 18
preferably have the same thickness as the first and second bands
10, 14. The intermediate arms 12, 16, 18 joining the at least two
bands 10, 14 create a space 22 between the at least two bands 10,
14. This space 22 will allow for the tightening of wrapping or
strapping material without damaging the corners or angles of the
article being wrapped or strapped. The space or void will act as a
buffer and a cushion allowing the angles or corners to be further
isolated from the strapping material.
[0025] Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, the edge protector according
to the present invention may be manufactured from a single paper or
polymer band or strip which will further be sliced in different
band lengths. Upon slicing of the bands the first and second bands
10, 14 will generally be joined by intermediate arms 12, 16, 18
also made from shorter band strips. The bands 10, 14 and
intermediate arms 12, 16, 18 are typically joined by a hot melt or
other suitable adhesive at the adjoining faces 24, 26, 28, 30, 32,
34, 36, 38. The simplicity of manufacture of such material allow
for lower manufacturing costs which is a significant advantage for
the packaging industry.
[0026] Now referring to FIGS. 2-5, in the present embodiment, the
edge protector 20 of the present invention includes generally right
angle bands 10, 14 typically made from paperboard or of laminated
sheets of paperboard into a rigid right angle 52. Although, in the
present embodiment, the edge protectors are presented with right
angles 52, the edge protector 20 may have any angle that is
substantially adapted to fit the corner of the merchandise to be
transported or stored. The right angle paperboard bands 10, 14 are
typically joined via a plurality of intermediate arms such that the
first band has an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside
surface of the first band 32 is generally in contact with the outer
surface of the intermediate arms 24, 26, 28. In addition, the inner
surface of the intermediate arms 32, 34, 36 are in contact with the
outer surface 30 of the second band 14.
[0027] Now referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in the present embodiment,
the edge protectors 20, 21 are configured to interlock or engage
thereby allowing the edge protectors 20, 21 to create an assembly
40 having the size of the merchandise to be transported or stored.
In order for the two edge protectors 20, 21 to interlock, a portion
of one of the bands 10, 14 of the first edge protector 20 is
inserted in the space 22 between the first and second bands 10, 14
of the second edge protector 21. The assembly of the two edge
protectors 20, 21 will result in a frame that may protect both
horizontal and vertical corners of the article to be transported or
stored. The edge protectors 20, 21 according to the present
invention could also be made from a variety of material such as
laminated paper, polymer or composite material as long as the
material allows for some degree of flexibility to enable the
engagement of a first edge protector 20 into a second edge
protector 21.
[0028] Now referring to FIG. 8, an assembly 80 of the edge
protectors 20 of the present embodiment is shown. In FIG. 8, an
assembly suitable to substantially cover the angles of an article
to be shipped wherein its four vertical edges would be retained by
upper and lower bands or straps (not shown) surrounding the edge
protectors 20 and article. The bands or straps (not shown) used to
secure the edge protectors on the article are typically made of
steel or a high strength plastic and are tensioned to tightly
secure the load. The outer band 10 of each edge protector 20
provides for tightening of the straps including preventing their
substantial biting into the edges of the article. The edge
protectors 20 provide protection to the edges of the article and
the space between both bands 22 provides the edge protectors 20
with stacking strength.
[0029] In the present embodiment, the edge protectors 20, 21 may be
of various lengths to fit the article to be transported or stored.
As such, the number of plurality of intermediate arms 12, 16, 18
may also depend of the desired stiffness of the edge protectors.
Accordingly, the shorter the interval between the intermediate arms
12, 16, 18, the stiffer the edge protectors 20, 21 will be.
Similarly, with a greater number of intermediate arms 12, 16, 18,
the edge protectors 20, 21 will generally enable a more rigid
overall assembly.
[0030] In another embodiment, now referring to FIG. 9, the edge
protector 20 may be built using bands 10, 14 having different
widths. For instance, the first band 10 of this other embodiment is
shorter than the second band 14. Such shorter first band may be
desired in some installations. In this other embodiment, the width
of the legs 14a and 14b of the second band 14 may be two inches
each whereas the width of the legs 10a and 10b of the first band 10
may be around 1.5 inches. Thus, there is provided a distinct offset
between the outside surface 42 of the first band 10 and the outside
surface 30 of the second band 14, for example, on the order of 0.24
(0.12 for the first band 10 and 0.12 for the intermediate arms 12,
18) inch in the embodiment described. Thus, when the edge
protectors 20 are placed in a stack for shipping or for loading
into the magazine of a packaging machine, they more easily separate
from one another. Thus, for example, a packaging machine may
utilize an automatic mechanical pick up such as clamps instead of
the more complicated suction cups to grab and place the edge
protectors in position for packaging.
[0031] One of the particular advantages of the present invention is
that it provides for the use of lighter weight angles useful for
stretch wrap applications. Normally, an angle of such light weight
would not maintain its right angle integrity. However, in the
combination of the present invention with the intermediate arms 12,
16, 18, such lightweight angles do substantially maintain
integrity.
[0032] An example of the edge protector and packaging system of the
present invention was designed having four inches wide bands 10, 14
and intermediate arms 12, 16, 18 resulting upon bending of the
bands in an edge protector 20 having sides about two inches each.
As such, the edge protector 20 is able to substantially protect the
corners of the article or merchandise to be shipped. In this
embodiment, the thickness of the laminated cardboard bands, forming
each of the first band 10, the second band 14 and the intermediate
arms 12, is about 0.12 inch, the combination of the two bands 10,
14 and intermediate arms 12, 16, 18 resulting in an edge protector
20 having about 0.36 inch combined thickness. Upon assembly of
multiple edge protectors 20, 21 the combined thickness of the edge
protector assembly will be about 0.48 inch. In this embodiment, the
intermediate arms 12, 16, 18 were about an inch in length and
spaced about 18 inches apart.
[0033] For purposes of economy, the bands and intermediate arms may
be formed of four-inch wide strips of paper which generally is the
narrowest paper roll available off of a cylinder board paper
machine. Thus, in a typical embodiment, each bands and intermediate
arms may be on the order of four inches in width.
[0034] In yet another embodiment, the edge protector could be built
from more than two bands. For instance, the edge protectors in this
other embodiment could be made from a combination of three bands
wherein intermediate arms would be inserted between the first and
second band but as well between the second and third bands. This
other embodiment would result in a higher strength edge protector.
This kind of other embodiment would be suitable for articles that
are more fragile. The extra thickness created by the addition of a
layer of intermediate arms and a layer of band material would
provide for improved insulation of the angles of the article from
the straps used to bind the packaging assembly.
[0035] In yet another embodiment, the intermediate arms 12 could be
of a thickness different from the thickness of the two bands.
Typically, depending on the specific application, such thickness
may vary between 8/100 of an inch to 40/100 of an inch, although
smaller or larger thicknesses may also be considered.
[0036] While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of
the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to
be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise
variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are
intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar
as limited by the prior art.
* * * * *